Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 20, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Friday, February 20, 2026
Fox News, News Nation refute NYT report that US evacuated troops from Mideast bases
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleHundreds of US troops have been evacuated from Al Udeid base in Qatar, The New York Times reports, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.
Troops have also been evacuated from bases in Bahrain that house the Navy’s 5th Fleet, NYT says, adding that there are no longer any American troops at bases Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Shortly after the NYT story is published, though, Fox News says the reporting is false, citing an unnamed, well-placed US official.
News Nation also says CENTCOM flatly denies the NYT report.
The move would seen as a precautionary step ahead of a potential US strike on Iran, as Tehran is likely to retaliate to such an attack by targeting US personnel in the region.
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