The US and the UK have told their citizens in Qatar to shelter in place "until further notice". The US embassy in Qatar suggested in a notice online that Americans do so "out of an abundance of caution". The UK government said it wasissuing its warningin response to the US alert. The warnings come after the State Department told US citizens in international locations to "exercise increased caution," after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. Iran has threatened to retaliate. In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a number of countries were urging precautions, but the embassy notice did "not necessarily reflect the existence of specific threats". "The security situation in the country is stable," the statement said, adding that "the relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors". Qatar is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base. About 8,000 US citizens live there, according to the State Department. The US has about 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East. The message from the US Embassy was followed by warnings from other groups in Qatar, including several universities that asked students to go home. Bilateral relations between the US and Qatar are "strong", according to the State Department, which says Qatar has helped play a financial, political and military role in dealing with turmoil in the region.
US and UK tell citizens in Qatar to shelter in place
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"US and UK Advise Citizens in Qatar to Shelter in Place Amid Regional Tensions"
Bbc News
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
The United States and the United Kingdom have issued urgent advisories to their citizens residing in Qatar, instructing them to shelter in place until further notice. This decision comes after heightened tensions in the region following a US military operation that involved airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. The US embassy in Qatar emphasized the need for Americans to remain indoors out of an abundance of caution, while the UK government aligned its warning with the US alert. In response to these developments, the US State Department has also urged citizens abroad to exercise increased caution, reflecting the potential for escalating tensions. Iran has publicly vowed to retaliate against the US actions, raising concerns among foreign nationals in the region about their safety and security.
In light of the warnings, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement clarifying that while several countries are advising their citizens to take precautions, the embassy's notice does not necessarily indicate any specific threats to safety. The Ministry reassured that the security situation in Qatar remains stable, and local authorities are actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all citizens, residents, and visitors. Notably, Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base, which is home to approximately 40,000 US troops stationed in the region. The US State Department reports that around 8,000 American citizens live in Qatar. In addition to the embassy advisories, several universities in Qatar have also advised students to return home, reflecting the broader concern for safety in light of the current geopolitical climate. The US and Qatar maintain strong bilateral relations, with Qatar playing a significant role in regional stability and security efforts.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.