US may extend military presence at base in Qatar

The base in question is Al Udeid Air Base, located in the desert southwest of Doha and home to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, according to the source, who asked not to be identified. The US Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment on the report on Tuesday.

US C-17 Globemaster aircraft at al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Reuters

The small but economically powerful Gulf state has played a key role in reconciliation talks between Hamas and Israel.

Qatar also played a role in negotiating the release of hostages taken by Hamas in its October 7 cross-border attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people.

According to Gaza 's health agency, US President Joe Biden has been in regular contact with Qatari officials since October 7 about securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and increasing aid to Gaza.

Qatar is also a major non-NATO ally of the United States. The Gulf state has also been the US's dialogue channel with the Taliban since the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

Qatar also played a mediating role in deals that in late 2023 led to the release of several Americans from Venezuela and Iran in prisoner exchanges.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-co-the-keo-dai-su-hien-dien-quan-su-tai-can-cu-o-qatar-post279529.html