Latest news with #AhmadAlgohbary
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Al Udeid Air Base Qatar: Why US is removing its troops from this base in Middle East amid Iran-Israel war
The United States has reportedly removed nearly 40 military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar between June 5 and June 19, according to satellite imagery, as the Iran-Israel conflict escalates. This is among the most significant drawdowns at the base, which is the largest American military installation in the Middle East. Security concerns prompt restricted access The U.S. Embassy in Qatar confirmed on Thursday that access to Al Udeid had been limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities." Personnel have been advised to remain alert due to the deteriorating security environment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Dividend Stocks for May 2025 Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo Base's location seen as risky 'Al Udeid would be extremely vulnerable due to its close proximity to Iran,' said Mark Schwartz, a former U.S. Army lieutenant general and defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. 'You want to reduce risk to U.S. forces, both personnel and equipment.' On June 5, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC showed about 40 aircraft at the base, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and reconnaissance jets. By June 19, only three aircraft remained. Live Events — AhmadAlgohbary (@AhmadAlgohbary) US refuelling aircraft shift to Europe Flight tracking reviewed by AFP showed that between June 15 and June 18, at least 27 military refuelling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, flew from the U.S. to Europe. Twenty-five of these remained in Europe as of late Wednesday, indicating the U.S. could be positioning assets for extended-range operations. No disclosure of aircraft destination While it is unclear whether the aircraft have been moved to hardened shelters or other bases in the region, a U.S. defense official declined to disclose details, stating: 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.' — sentdefender (@sentdefender) US military posture on high alert American forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert. Families stationed at certain military bases have been given the option to evacuate voluntarily. Currently, around 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed across the region, up from a peacetime average of 30,000. Carrier groups redeployed toward Middle East To reinforce its posture, the U.S. is increasing its naval presence. A Navy official confirmed the USS Gerald R. Ford will depart Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24 for a deployment to the U.S. European Command area. The USS Carl Vinson strike group has already been operating in the region, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Nimitz carrier group to head toward the Middle East 'to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,' according to a senior defense official. White House still deciding on next steps President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will decide within the next two weeks whether to authorize U.S. strikes on Iran. While he has supported Israel's ongoing operations, Trump said there remains a limited window for negotiations. He also remarked that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be an 'easy target.' Trump has previously pushed for a replacement to the 2015 nuclear deal, which he exited in 2018. In recent weeks, he has endorsed Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership. Political resistance builds in Washington Several voices from within Trump's 'Make America Great Again' base have opposed deeper U.S. involvement, warning that such actions risk entangling the country in new long-term conflicts. Israel-Iran clash reaches new intensity The latest military exchange between Israel and Iran is among the most direct and intense in decades. Israel launched Operation Rising Sun, targeting nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. The escalation has raised concerns of a broader regional war and drawn global attention.
India Today
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
US quietly pulled military jets from Qatar airbase, satellite images show
Nearly 40 US military aircraft have disappeared from the tarmac at a major American airbase in Qatar over the past two weeks, in what appears to be a preemptive move to shield assets from potential Iranian strikes, according to news agency June 5 and June 19, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the once-packed Al Udeid Air Base -- America's largest military installation in the Middle East -- has been largely emptied of visible aircraft. On June 5, roughly 40 aircraft, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and advanced reconnaissance jets, were parked in plain sight. By June 19, only three the US embassy in Qatar announced on Thursday that access to the base would be limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities," and urged personnel to "exercise increased vigilance."US Warplanes Quietly Pulled from Qatar AirbaseSatellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show an unusually empty runway at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, suggesting the U.S. military has redeployed many aircraft. The move follows similar naval dispersals in Bahrain, seen as Ahmad Algohbary (@AhmadAlgohbary) June 19, 2025 An analysis by AFP of public flight tracking data showed that from June 15 to 18, at least 27 military refuelling aircraft -- including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes -- flew from the United States to Europe. As of late Wednesday, 25 of those aircraft were still in Europe, with only two having returned to the US. These refuelling planes play a key role in long-range air operations and could be a sign that the US is preparing for extended TROOPS ON HIGH ALERT AS IRANIAN RETALIATION FEARS GROWadvertisementAmerican forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert, and military families have been given the option to voluntarily leave bases as a precaution against possible Iranian retaliation. Roughly 40,000 US troops are currently deployed across the region, up from the usual 30,000. That number briefly spiked to 43,000 in October during a previous flare-up between Israel and Iran, and in response to repeated Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Pentagon has not commented on additional force movements but emphasised that US personnel are prepared for rapid shifts depending on how the situation with Iran TO DECIDE ON US ROLE IN IRAN STRIKES SOONMeanwhile, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump will decide whether to join Israel's campaign against Iran's military and nuclear programme within two weeks, saying that Trump still sees a window for diplomacy to address Israeli and US demands on Iran's nuclear programme."Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, told reporters, quoting Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 'cannot continue to exist.' Katz spoke after the latest wave of Iranian missiles struck a hospital and wounded at least 40 people."A dictator like Khamenei, who heads a country like Iran and has made the destruction of Israel his mission, cannot continue to exist," Katz said. "The IDF has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist."
