Britain is withdrawing some personnel from an airbase in Qatar, following the lead from the US.

Military personnel are being withdrawn from the al-Udeid airbase, where the RAF is stationed alongside American forces, reports The i.

According to reports, an RAF tanker departed the Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus headed to al-Udeid airbase, although flight data appeared to show it then headed back toward Europe.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told GB News: "We do not comment on details of basing and deployments due to operational security.

“The UK always puts precautionary measures in place to ensure the security and safety of our personnel, including where necessary withdrawing personnel.”

Al Udeid is the Middle East’s largest US base, housing around 10,000 troops.

One diplomat told reporters: “It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation”, adding he was not aware that a specific reason had been given for the posture change.

Another diplomat added: "All the signals are that a US attack is imminent, but that is also how this administration behaves to keep everyone on their toes. Unpredictability is part of the strategy.