The Pentagon is evacuating US troops from several Middle East bases after Iranian strikes, NPR reported.
According to public radio, “hundreds of sailors have been evacuated to the United States from a base in Bahrain after Iran struck it with missiles and drones“. The statement said that “evacuations have also been carried out from other US bases in the region,” but did not provide details.
The media reported that approximately 1,500 US soldiers and their families were evacuated from the Bahrain base, which is the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
Before the US-Israeli military operation against Iran, approximately 8,000 personnel served at the base.
Satellite images confirm direct hits on at least seven buildings on the territory of the Bahrain base.
Due to the lack of adequate protection against Iranian ballistic missiles, commanders have been forced to move a large part of the ground staff to hotels and offices in civilian areas throughout the region. This model of “teleworking” applies to most units, with the exception of fighter jet crews and airport maintenance personnel.
Iran has announced attacks on four major US bases: “Al Udeid“ in Qatar, “Ali Al Salem“ in Kuwait, “Al Dhafra“ in the UAE, and the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
The bases in Kuwait are reported to have suffered severe damage and are nearly uninhabitable.
Despite evacuations from vulnerable points, the Pentagon continues to send reinforcements, including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division and additional aircraft carriers (such as the USS George H.W. Bush), in preparation for possible ground operations.