Iran attack targets U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Here’s what to know about the military base.

Iran took measures to retaliate against the United States on Monday, pulling a short and medium range Missiles targeting the American air base of Al Udeid in Qatar. The government of Qatar said that the missiles had been intercepted and that no victim had been reported, the US and Qatari officials said.

President Trump described the attack on “very low response” that the United States was waiting for and “contact very effectively”. He said in a pair of social networks publications These 14 missiles were dismissed, and he thanked Iran “for giving us notice, which did not lose any life, and no one to hurt.”

Iran has launched its missiles in retaliation for us strikes Taking three Iranian nuclear sites During the weekend.

Here is more on the Al Udeid base and the role it plays for the United States in the region.

The largest American military base in the Middle East

The Al Udeid air base is the last American base in the Middle East, located in the desert southwest of Doha. It was created in 1996 and served as a head office for the American central command, also known as Centcom, which directs US military operations in a region that extends from Egypt in the West to Kazakhstan in the East.

The United States has around 40,000 soldiers in the Middle East. The basis of Qatar currently houses thousands of American troops. It had around 10,000 at the height of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Trump visited Al Udeid in May

Al Udeid was a major staging field for American military assets during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In May, he Welcomed a visit by TrumpWho said to the troops: “My priority is to end conflicts, not to start them.”

“But I will never hesitate to exercise American power, if necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our big partners here”, referring to Qatar. “When we are threatened, the American soldiers will respond to our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

Other American military bases in the Middle East

In addition to Qatar, the American army has bases and other facilities in seven other countries in the region.

Bahrain hosts the seat of The fifth fleet of the American navywhose area of ​​responsibility includes the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Oman Sea and certain parts of the India Ocean. The American navy has used the base since 1948, when the installation was operated by the British Royal Navy. There are some 9,000 American soldiers in Bahrain.

Kuwait To several American military installations: Camp Arifjan Base, Ali Al Salem Base and Camp Buehring. Camp Arifjan is the headquarters of the American Central Army. Ali Al Salem, known as “The Rock” for its isolated and robust environment, is around 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Iraqi border. Camp Buehring was created in 2002, as war approached in Iraq and is a staging position for US army units moving to Iraq and Syria, according to the American army website. There are some 13,000 American troops in Kuwait.

United Arab Emirates At the Al Dhafra air base, located south of the capital, Abu Dhabi. It is an essential air force center that has supported key missions in the region. It is shared with the air force of the water. There are some 3,000 service staff in the United States to water.

Iraq To a continuous American presence at Ain Al Asad air base, supporting the Iraqi security forces and contributing to the NATO mission, according to the White House. Erbil Air Base, located in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, in northern Iraq, serves as a hub for us and the coalition forces carrying out training exercises and combat exercises. There are about 2,500 American soldiers in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia Position approximately 2,700 American troops stationed in the country, many of which at Prince Sultan’s air base, located south of Riyadh.

JordanThe Muwaffaq Al Salti air base is home to the 323rd Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force. Located in Azraq, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Amman, the base has some 3,800 soldiers. It also hosts several smaller American installations, including the base of Tower 22 near the Syrian border, where Three American soldiers were killed In a drone strike last year, attributed to a militia supported by Iran.

Syria Also has a presence of American troops in a series of facilities in international efforts against the Islamic State group. There are approximately 1,000 American troops stationed in Syria.

An American official told CBS News on Monday that they were not aware of attacks on other bases.

AFP

contributed to this report.