Qatar at risk of security: Western allies move troops after Iranian threats

Iran has threatened to retaliate against US military bases in various Middle Eastern countries if the US attacks. Following such threats, the US and UK are partially withdrawing troops from the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.
The BBC’s US partner CBS News reported this information, citing a Trump administration official. Officials said the partial withdrawal of US troops was a “precautionary measure”. The BBC has learned that some British military personnel are also being evacuated.
A statement issued by the Qatari government said that the US took the step in response to “current regional tensions” in the Middle East. A government spokesman said that the Foreign Office had also temporarily closed the British embassy in Tehran.
The US embassy in Doha advised its staff to exercise extra caution and limit non-essential travel to the Al-Udeid air base. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration website, Iran has closed its airspace to almost all flights from 2:45 am local time today (January 15).
Iran previously launched a missile attack on a US air base in Qatar in response to the US attack in June last year. According to Reuters, Iran has already warned neighboring countries that US military bases in the Middle East, including Qatar, could be targeted.