Visuals from Qatar and Bahrain.
Manama, Bahrain: Sirens were activated in Bahrain amid Iran’s retaliation against US bases in Qatar. In response, Bahrain has closed its airspace temporarily as a precautionary measure following the recent regional development.
Iran has launched, reportedly, six missiles targeting US military bases in Qatar. Flares were visible over Qatar’s capital, Doha. No causalities have been reported. The countries with the most US troops include Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Air defence systems were simultaneously activated at American facilities in Iraq in anticipation of potential strikes as part of Iran’s “Operation Basharat al-Fath” (“Annunciation of Victory”).
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Air raid sirens were heard going off in the capital city of Manama. According to reports in Arab media outlets, air defense systems were activated in Qatar and Bahrain following missile launches carried out by Iran toward American assets. Sirens were also activated at the American Ali-Salem base in Kuwait. The country has also announced the closure of it airspace amid regional escalation.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially confirmed that it launched a retaliatory missile attack targeting the American al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.
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Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari says the IRGC attack on al-Udeid base is a “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace and the UN charter”.
“We, in the State of Qatar, reserve our right to respond directly … to this blatant aggression in accordance with international law,” al-Ansari said in a statement. He also added that Qatari air defences foiled the attack and successfully confronted the Iranian missiles.
Iran, on the other hand, clarified that the Iranian missile strike against al-Udeid air base was away from residential areas in Qatar and that it “does not pose any threat to the friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people”. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council also added that the country remains committed to maintain warm and historic relations with Qatar.
Also Read | Qatar, With Largest American Military Base, Closes Its Airspace: 5 Points
The largest US military base in the Middle East was established in 1996. The base accommodates almost 100 aircraft as well as drones across an area of 24 hectares (60 acres). It also houses nearly 10,000 troops while serving as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM). The base has been central to operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
