Qatar’s International Media Office has responded to media reports circulating about the departure of certain personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base.

“With reference to circulating media reports regarding the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base, the International Media Office (IMO) of the State of Qatar states that such measures are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions,” it said in a statement.

“The IMO reaffirms that the State of Qatar continues to implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities,” it said.

“The IMO further notes that should any developments arise, it will be communicated through the official designated channels.

Earlier, Reuters had reported that some personnel were advised to leave the United States military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening, citing three unnamed diplomats.

The report came amid warnings from the US that ​it could intervene in protests currently taking place in Iran.

“It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation,” one diplomat had said, adding that they were not aware that a ‌specific reason had been given for the posture change.

Al Udeid is the Middle East’s largest US base, housing about 10,000 troops.

Last year, more than a week before the US launched air strikes on Iran, some personnel and ‌families were moved off US bases in the Middle East. After the US attacks in June, Iran launched ‍a missile attack on the base in Qatar.

The 24-hectare Al Udeid base, in the desert outside the capital Doha, is ⁠the forward headquarters for US Central Command, which directs US military operations in a huge swath of territory stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan ​in the east.

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