US evacuates troops from Middle East bases amid Iran threats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 06:14 · Archive

The US military is evacuating troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait amid threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The US military has been evacuating troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait in recent days, according to US officials and people familiar with the orders. Simultaneously, the State Department is reducing staff at diplomatic posts across the Middle East, with chiefs of mission at multiple posts being notified on Wednesday of the reduced staffing.

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has been placed under 'ordered departure', meaning it will operate only with emergency staff. The drastic withdrawal is in response to ongoing threats, including from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The State Department said Iranian-supported Houthis have 'increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions'.

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering launching a major strike on Iran. US Central Command downplayed the significance of the troop movements in a statement to NBC News.

How it is being reported

• US troops and diplomats evacuated from Middle East as Trump 'considers major strikes'American troops and diplomats have been removed from posts across the Middle East, with reports suggesting Donald Trump is planning major strikes against Iran.The Mirror · 22 Oct, 07:09
• US troops evacuate bases across Middle East due to ongoing threats as Trump mulls major strike on IranThe US military has been quietly evacuating its troops in the Middle East amid ongoing threats and as President Donald Trump considers launching a major strike on Iran.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 05:53

In this story: Donald Trump · Iran · United States · Jordan · Qatar · Kuwait · Saudi Arabia · Houthi

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem