Guy Elster writes that satellite imagery reveals the US removed its aircraft from the air base in Qatar in the days before and during the escalation with Iran, potentially explaining Qatar's distance from the current conflict.
Guy Elster, an analyst with The Zioneer, reports that satellite imagery shows the United States emptied its air base in Qatar of aircraft in the lead-up to and during the current escalation with Iran. According to Elster, the removal of aircraft may indicate that Washington took preemptive measures to protect its assets, and could explain why Qatar has remained outside the immediate escalation circle. The Zioneer has previously reported on satellite imagery showing damage to US military infrastructure across the Gulf during the same period, as well as the strategic importance of Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the largest US military presence in the region. The analysis is based on Elster's review of satellite data and has not been independently verified. The timing and extent of the aircraft removal remain unclear.
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