Qatar Temporarily Closes Airspace Amid Security Warnings from US and UK
Qatar has temporarily shut its airspace after the United States and the United Kingdom issued urgent shelter-in-place advisories to their citizens in the country, citing unspecified security concerns.
The US Embassy in Doha urged American citizens to remain indoors “out of an abundance of caution,” while the UK government said its advisory was issued in response to the US alert. The move follows a broader warning from the US State Department advising American citizens abroad to “exercise increased caution” after US military strikes targeted three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, prompting threats of retaliation from Tehran.
According to the BBC, there is reportedly “a credible threat” to the US-led Coalition Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid Air Base, a major US military installation in Qatar that also hosts UK personnel on rotation. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the airspace closure was a precautionary measure to protect residents and visitors. However, it emphasized that the situation remains stable and that the shelter warnings “do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific threats.”
The ministry added that security agencies are “closely monitoring the situation” and stand ready to act if needed. Around 8,000 US citizens currently live in Qatar, which hosts the largest US military presence in the Middle East, as well as the headquarters of US Central Command’s (CENTCOM) air operations in the region.
Flight tracking services, including Flightradar24, have shown significant disruption, with planes being rerouted from Doha. Over 100 inbound flights have been affected. Hamad International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports for international travel, typically sees around 140,000 passengers pass through daily.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Parliament the situation is “ongoing and fast-moving,” noting that advice to British nationals may be updated in the coming days.
Following the US Embassy’s notice, several institutions in Qatar — including universities — have also urged people to stay home as a precaution.
Despite the current tension, the US State Department maintains that bilateral relations between the US and Qatar remain “strong,” with Qatar continuing to play a key financial, political, and military role in regional stability.
