In response to the United Arab Emirates’ ban on the use of their territory for attacks in West Asia, the United States is relocating its fighter jets, drones, and other military aircraft to Qatar, as reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
According to WSJ, Emirati officials notified the U.S. in February that American warplanes and drones stationed at Al Dhafra air base would no longer be permitted to conduct attacks in Yemen and Iraq without prior notification.
An unnamed UAE official told WSJ, “Restrictions have been imposed on strike missions against targets in Iraq and Yemen. These restrictions are based on self-protection.”
Located roughly 32 kilometers south of Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra air base was the previous hub for these military operations.
The U.S. response to this development involved relocating additional aircraft to Al Udeid in Qatar, where similar restrictions have not been imposed.
The decision reflects the growing tensions between the U.S. and the nations in the Persian Gulf, the WSJ report highlighted.
