The largest US base within the Middle East is situated in Qatar.
Washington:
Three US troopers have been killed and dozens wounded after a drone hit a navy outpost in Jordan, often called Tower 22, on Sunday. The location is only one of many bases the US has within the Middle East.
Here is what we all know concerning the US navy presence within the Middle East:
Where are US bases within the Middle East?
The US has operated bases across the Middle East for many years. At its peak, there have been greater than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan in 2011 and over 160,000 personnel in Iraq in 2007.
While the quantity is way decrease after withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, there are nonetheless about 30,000 US troops scattered throughout the area. In addition, for the reason that Israel-Gaza conflict started in October, the US has quickly despatched 1000’s of extra troops into the area, together with on warships.
The largest US base within the Middle East is situated in Qatar, often called Al Udeid Air Base and built-in 1996. Other international locations the place the US has a presence embrace Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The US has roughly 900 troops in Syria, in small bases like al Omar Oil discipline and al-Shaddadi principally within the northeast of the nation. There is a small outpost close to the county’s border with Iraq and Jordan, often called the Al Tanf garrison.
There are 2,500 personnel in Iraq, unfold round services like Union III and Ain al-Asad air base, though talks are ongoing about the way forward for these troops.
Why are US troops stationed within the area?
US troops are stationed within the Middle East for various causes and besides Syria, they’re there with the permission of every nation’s authorities.
In some international locations like Iraq and Syria, US troops are there to combat towards Islamic State militants and are additionally serving to advise native forces. But they’ve come below assault from Iran-backed forces over the previous a number of years and have taken motion towards them.
Jordan, a key US ally within the area, has a whole bunch of US trainers they usually maintain in depth workout routines all year long.
In different circumstances, like in Qatar and the UAE, US troops have a presence to reassure allies, perform coaching and are used as wanted in operations within the area.
Are there international navy bases within the US?
While Washington’s allies generally ship their troops to coach or work with US troops, there are not any international navy bases contained in the US
Tower 22
Tower 22, the place Sunday’s drone assault occurred, killing three Army Reserve troopers, holds a strategically essential location in Jordan, on the most northeastern level the place the nation’s borders meet Syria and Iraq.
Specifically, Tower 22 is close to Al Tanf garrison, which is situated throughout the border in Syria, and which homes a small variety of US troops. Tanf had been key within the combat towards Islamic State and has assumed a task as a part of a US technique to comprise Iran’s navy build-up in japanese Syria.
Do US bases within the area get attacked usually?
US bases are extremely guarded services, together with air protection methods to guard towards missiles or drones. Facilities in international locations like Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are usually not often attacked.
But US troops in Iraq and Syria have come below frequent assault in recent times. Since simply October 7, US troops have been attacked greater than 160 instances by Iran-backed militia, injuring about 80 troops, even earlier than Sunday’s assault on Tower 22, which has injured round 40 extra.
A brand new wave of violence within the Middle East has erupted since Oct. 7 when Palestinian Islamist Hamas fighters burst into Israel and killed 1,200 Israelis and took 253 others hostage. In response, Israel unleashed a navy marketing campaign that left greater than 26,000 useless and brought about a extreme humanitarian disaster within the densely populated Gaza Strip.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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