Hamas presence in Doha prompts US Senate bill calling for review of key Qatar base
Congress is questioning the US's military cooperation with Qatar, calling for a review of a key US air base in the region, citing Doha’s “relationship” with Hamas.
The Senate’s draft fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes an amendment backed by Republican Senator Rick Scott that calls for the Pentagon to issue a report on the “operational value” of the al-Udeid military base.
“The effect on United States Air Force operations in the Middle East if the United States were to redeploy members of the United States Air Force from Al-Udeid Air Base….and the resources that would be required [to relocate troops]”.
Al-Udeid is the largest US air base in the region and the forward operating headquarters of all US forces in the Middle East, also known as Centcom. Roughly 10,000 US troops are based in Qatar.
