US Reaches Deal to Extend Military Presence in Qatar

The United States has reached an agreement to extend its military presence at a massive base in Qatar for another 10 years, as reported by the American network CNN, citing three defense officials and another informed official.

A knowledgeable source also confirmed to Reuters that the base is Al Udeid Air Base, located in the desert southwest of Doha.

Al Udeid Air Base is considered the largest American military facility in the Middle East, capable of hosting over 10,000 American troops, according to CNN.

The agreement underscores "Washington's reliance on Doha," according to CNN, as Qatar recently played a significant role in mediating the release of American prisoners in Gaza and Venezuela.

Last month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Al Udeid Air Base and expressed gratitude to Qatar for increasing its spending on the base. However, he did not explicitly mention Washington's intention to extend the American presence, according to the network.

Austin emphasized that the US and Qatar would officially take future steps to expand and enhance bilateral defense relations, adding that his country will do so under Qatar's commitment to contribute significant resources to enhance Al Udeid Air Base, which will support the two countries' forces for years to come.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military forces and operations in the Middle East, operates from Al Udeid Air Base, which has played a pivotal role in American operations in Iran and Afghanistan, according to CNN. 

Additionally, both Qatari and British air forces operate from the base.

CNN noted that this extension comes as the US bolsters its presence in the region, facing escalating threats from Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.