Qatar confirms its defenses intercept missiles targeting the US military base of Al Udeid

Qatar's Defense Ministry said Monday that the Gulf nation's air defenses "successfully intercepted" a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US base in the Middle East and located just outside Doha.

The attack was Iran's retaliation for the U.S. attacks on its nuclear plants on Sunday.

AFP journalists heard explosions in central Doha and in Lusail, north of the capital, and saw projectiles in the sky.

The US and UK embassies in Qatar had advised Qatari citizens to shelter in place until further notice.

In addition, the Persian Gulf country had temporarily closed its airspace as part of measures taken to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

Following Sunday's attacks, Iran had vowed to respond to US bombings of its nuclear facilities. US military bases in the Middle East were considered the primary target.

In fact, days before the attack on Iran, the United States withdrew dozens of military aircraft from the runway at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

According to satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC, nearly 40 military aircraft were on the runway at Al Udeid Air Base on June 5, including large troop and equipment transporters, as well as reconnaissance and special operations aircraft such as C-130 Hercules. By June 19, only three aircraft remained visible on the runway.

Al Udeid has been instrumental in past U.S. military operations in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

The U.S. Air Force's 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is also deployed there.

For now, the Qatari Ministry of Defense has confirmed that no casualties have been reported.

Minutes after the attack, Iran's Supreme National Security Council said the missiles fired at the Al Udeid air base occurred far from residential areas in Qatar.

"This action poses no threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar ," the Council said in a statement.

Qatar condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty.

Developing news...