Thirteen US military bases in the Middle East have suffered such damage in Iranian strikes that CENTCOM has been forced to shift its personnel to other locations, a new report said.
Key US military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have been continuously struck by Tehran and its allies with drones and missiles of different kinds, to the extent that they have become impractical for long-term occupancy by servicemen. According to media reports, not just buildings, but communication systems, radars, and support facilities have taken a toll at US bases ever since the war began.
Such is the situation that US soldiers serving in the region have been forced to sleep in hotels, office spaces, and overseas facilities, Defence Security Asia said in a report. Meanwhile, the duties and responsibilities of air force personnel have become more complex as they have been handed "hybrid operating models". Several airstrips have been damaged in Iranian strikes, and while the remaining ones are being used, ground personnel have been largely asked to operate "remotely rather than from fortified bases", the Defence Security Asia report said.
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As a consequence of the heavy damage suffered at these positions, the US military is stretched, as it has to rely on broken radars and communication facilities and manage damaged infrastructure while trying to strike Tehran. There is no denying that visible damage at the facilities has caused immense pressure on the operational readiness levels and response times of US forces.
Kuwait, a trusted ally of Washington, reportedly suffered the most due to its proximity to Iran and the large number of US troops stationed within its borders. CENTCOM tried to deal with Iran's limited launch capability by scrambling its resources across locations instead of concentrating its forces at one base, but this has reduced the effectiveness of the offensive against Tehran.
"Extensive damage to various military installations has transformed a previously stable network of forward bases into a fragmented and partially relocated posturing structure, increasing logistical complexity and reducing the efficiency of command, control, and support functions," the report said.
US–Iran war
Meanwhile, Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to falter on Thursday.
Tehran moved to formalise its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz, while Washington prepared for the arrival of US troops in the region that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic.
Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles, and in the United Arab Emirates, two people were reported killed and three were wounded by falling shrapnel from a missile interception over Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
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Industry experts say Iran is implementing a "de facto toll booth regime", with some ships paying in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 per cent of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime.
Meanwhile, a strike group anchored by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli drew closer to the Mideast with some 2,500 Marines. Also, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne have been ordered to the region.