U.S. Extends Military Presence in Qatar with 10-Year Agreement

In a recently undisclosed development, the United States has reached an agreement to extend its military presence at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar for an additional 10 years.

This was reported by three U.S. defense officials and another source familiar with the matter, CNN stated.

The Al Udeid Air Base, situated in the desert southwest of Doha, stands as the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East, hosting over 10,000 American troops. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed gratitude to Qatar during his recent visit to the base, acknowledging their increased spending on the facility. However, there was no mention of the renewal during his visit, and the Biden administration has not publicly announced the agreement.

Qatar, a key player in mediating international conflicts, has recently played a crucial role in negotiating the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and Venezuela. Despite its diplomatic efforts, Qatar has faced criticism, particularly from a bipartisan group of 113 U.S. lawmakers who urged President Joe Biden to exert pressure on countries supporting Hamas, including Qatar.

The tiny Gulf state has been a major non-NATO U.S. ally, a designation given to non-NATO allies with strategic relationships with the U.S. military. Qatar's significance extends beyond the realm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it has facilitated dialogue between the U.S. and the Taliban since the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

While Qatar's hosting of senior Hamas leaders has drawn criticism, its role in mediating hostage releases and facilitating negotiations with various adversaries has highlighted its unique position in international relations. The extension of the Al Udeid agreement comes at a time when the U.S. is reinforcing its presence in the region amid escalating threats from Iran-backed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

President Biden's conversations with the Emir of Qatar have centered around securing the release of hostages and providing aid to Gaza, where casualties have risen significantly since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The Pentagon has not provided an immediate response to requests for comments on the agreement.

Qatar's commitment to upgrading facilities at the Al Udeid Air Base aligns with Secretary Austin's statement during his recent visit, emphasizing the expansion and reinforcement of the bilateral defense relationship between the U.S. and Qatar. The base, pivotal for the U.S. Central Command's air operations in the Middle East, has been in operation since 2003, following the shift from the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.