Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq...., THESE are the main US military bases in the Middle East? Check location, country and names
Iran strongly condemned the United States for bombing its nuclear sites and criticised US President Donald Trump, calling him a 'gambler' for supporting Israel's military actions against Iran. The tension spiked after the US dropped powerful bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, officially entering the conflict on Israel's side. Since then, Iran has been warning of a strong response.
If Iran decides to hit back, it could target American military bases in the Middle East. Here are some of the key U.S. bases in the region but first let us know what is a military base: What is a Military Base?
A military base is a place where soldiers live, train, and work. It is owned and run by a country's military and usually has buildings, vehicles, weapons, and other equipment. Some bases are used to plan missions, some for training, and others for testing new tools and systems.
Most military bases need help from outside to get supplies like food, water, and fuel. But some large bases are built to be self-sufficient and can support the people living there even if they are cut off for a while.
There are different types of bases: air bases are where military planes are kept and operated, while naval bases are for military ships.
As of July 2024, the U.S. had at least 128 military bases in other countries. The largest one is Camp Humphreys in South Korea. It's the biggest US base overseas in terms of area.
Since 2001, between 1.9 and 3 million U.S. troops have served in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than half of them went more than once, according to a report by the Watson Institute at Brown University. BAHRAIN Main Role: Headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.
Area Covered: Oversees operations across the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Importance: Critical for naval missions and maritime security in the region. QATAR Al Udeid Air Base (near Doha)
Size: Spans 24 hectares in the desert.
Troops: Houses around 10,000 U.S. personnel.
Function: Acts as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Coverage: CENTCOM oversees military actions from Egypt to Kazakhstan, making this base a strategic nerve center in the region. KUWAIT Camp Arifjan: Main hub for the U.S. Army Central Command in the region.
Ali Al Salem Air Base: Located about 40 km from the Iraq border, nicknamed 'The Rock' for its rough terrain.
Camp Buehring: Set up during the 2003 Iraq War, it serves as a staging area for troops heading into Iraq and Syria. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
Al Dhafra Air Base (near Abu Dhabi) Shared with the UAE Air Force.
Supports U.S. missions against ISIS and regional surveillance operations.
Jebel Ali Port (Dubai) Not a formal base, but the largest U.S. Navy port of call in the Middle East.
Frequently hosts aircraft carriers and U.S. naval ships. IRAQ
Ain Al Asad Air Base (Anbar Province, Western Iraq) Supports Iraqi security forces and the NATO mission.
Was targeted by Iranian missiles in 2020 after the U.S. killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Remains one of the largest U.S. military installations in Iraq.
Erbil Air Base (Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq) Acts as a hub for U.S. and coalition training exercises.
Provides a secure base for intelligence sharing, logistics, and operational planning.
Plays a key role in the U.S. presence in northern Iraq. SAUDI ARABIA
Prince Sultan Air Base (South of Riyadh) Hosts U.S. forces who support air and missile defense operations.
Houses advanced systems like Patriot missiles and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense).
As of 2024, 2,321 U.S. soldiers were stationed in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. troops coordinate closely with the Saudi military for regional defense. JORDAN
Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base (Azraq, northeast of Amman) Located about 100 km from the Jordanian capital.
Home to the U.S. Air Force's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.
Supports missions across the Levant (which includes Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and parts of Iraq).
Key base for air operations, surveillance, and regional coordination.
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