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US Air Force says Qatar blockade has 'no impact' on American base

The United States is flying more missions out of al-Udeid than before the Saudi-led embargo.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, touches down at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, April 9, 2016.  The U.S. Air Force deployed B-52 bombers to Qatar on Saturday to join the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the first time they have been based in the Middle East since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. REUTERS/U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/Handout via Reuters  THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED B

The monthslong Saudi-led blockade against the tiny Gulf emirate of Qatar has not impacted the American forces stationed there, a top US Air Force general told Al-Monitor today.

Located just south of the capital Doha, al-Udeid airbase hosts more than 10,000 US troops. It’s been a major hub for the US Air Force in the Gulf for 15 years and is the only American runway in the Gulf long enough to allow US B-52 bombers to target Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria.

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