US reported to cut troops at Middle East bases as State Dept orders Saudi departures
In short
CBS News reported, citing sources, that the Pentagon has in recent days cut troop numbers at bases across the Middle East. A CENTCOM spokesman said US forces are regularly moved to optimise readiness and gave no details. The State Department ordered non-emergency staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Pentagon has in recent days reduced troop numbers at bases across the Middle East, CBS News reported, citing informed sources, according to Interfax and Kommersant. TASS also reported the withdrawal of part of US forces from Middle East bases and said Washington is cutting its diplomatic missions in the region. TASS headlined its item as a report by NBC, while Interfax and Kommersant name CBS News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Interfax wrote that a US official and a senior US military official told CBS that forces are privately reducing their presence at facilities in the Middle East because of the expanding conflict in Yemen and direct threats from Iran. [ 2 ]
Commenting on the report, CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins told CBS News: "We regularly move American troops and equipment to optimise readiness for missions. For operational security reasons we do not discuss the details of such movements." [ 2 , 3 ]
CBS also noted that the State Department ordered non-critical embassy staff and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia after a series of Houthi attacks, Interfax reported. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott wrote on X that the department issued an order for the departure of non-emergency US government employees and their families from Saudi Arabia only. He called reports that the orders also apply to other US embassies in Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, inaccurate. [ 2 ]
Kommersant likewise wrote that the department said the measure does not affect other Gulf states. It added that some diplomatic missions moved to a limited-activity mode and reduced staff. [ 3 ]
As background, Kommersant wrote that on 11 September forces of the Ansar Allah movement, the Yemeni Houthis, took control of Yemen's west coast and landed on islands in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. It said the Houthis are striking Saudi facilities in response to Riyadh's help to Yemen's internationally recognised government. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The reports link the troop reductions and the Saudi departure order to the conflict in Yemen and threats from Iran, according to CBS sources as relayed by Interfax. The US has given no details of the troop movements.
Key facts
- CBS News, citing informed sources, reported that the Pentagon has in recent days reduced troop numbers at bases across the Middle East. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A US official and a senior US military official told CBS the forces are privately reducing their presence because of the expanding conflict in Yemen and direct threats from Iran. [ 2 ]
- CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said US troops and equipment are regularly moved to optimise readiness and that, for operational security, details of such moves are not discussed. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia. [ 2 , 3 ]
- State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said reports that the departure orders also cover other Gulf embassies, including in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, are inaccurate. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- CBS News reported that the Pentagon is reducing troop numbers at Middle East bases. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said troops and equipment are regularly moved to optimise readiness and that details are not discussed for operational security reasons. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The State Department ordered departures of non-emergency diplomatic staff and their families from Saudi Arabia only; the department said other Gulf countries are not affected. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Which bases, how many troops and which countries are affected by the reduction. The documents give no figures or locations, and CENTCOM declined to discuss details.
- The reason for the troop reductions. Two unnamed US officials cited by CBS point to the conflict in Yemen and threats from Iran, while CENTCOM described the moves only as regular repositioning to optimise readiness.
- Which US broadcaster made the report. TASS names NBC in its headline, while Interfax and Kommersant name CBS News.
- How far the cuts to US diplomatic missions in the region extend. TASS says Washington is cutting diplomatic missions in the region; Kommersant says some missions moved to limited activity with reduced staff; the State Department said the departure order covers Saudi Arabia only.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS publishes a report citing a US TV channel that the US is withdrawing part of its military from Middle East bases and cutting diplomatic missions. [ 1 ]
- Interfax publishes the CBS News report with comments from CENTCOM and the State Department. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant publishes its account of the CBS report. [ 3 ]