Explainer | What are US troops doing in the Middle East and where are they?
- The United States operates several bases and stations tens of thousands of troops across the Middle East
- Attack on US forces in Jordan came amid heightened regional tensions stemming from the Israel-Gaza war
Three US soldiers were killed and dozens wounded after a drone hit a military outpost in Jordan, known as Tower 22, on Sunday. The location is just one of many bases the US has in the Middle East.
Here is what we know about the US military presence in the Middle East:
Where are US bases in the Middle East?
The US has operated bases around the Middle East for decades. At its peak, there were more than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan in 2011 and over 160,000 personnel in Iraq in 2007.
While the number is far lower after withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, there are still over 30,000 US troops scattered across the region. In addition, since the Israel-Gaza war began in October, the US has temporarily sent thousands of additional troops in the region, including on warships.
The largest US base in the Middle East is located in Qatar, known as Al Udeid Air Base and built in 1996. Other countries where the US has a presence include Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).