Global Affairs Canada has updated its risk level for Qatar amid what it calls ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.
Updated around 6:30 a.m. Monday (June 23), Global Affairs is warning that people should exercise a high degree of caution in Qatar, following a U.S. Embassy security alert. The warning adds there are reports of military debris falling in various locations.
There are reports that Iran hit the Al-Udeid Air Base, just outside of Doha, Qatar. Multiple international media outlets are reporting that the sound of explosions were heard over Doha Monday.
Qatar's Ministry of Defence confirmed in social media posts Monday that Qatari air defences "successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al-Udeid Air Base." It adds there were no deaths or injuries.
The air base, according to the U.S. government, is home to the headquarters of U.S. Central Command Forward, U.S. Air Force Central Command Forward, and U.S. Special Operations Command Central Command Forward, as well as Combined Joint Interagency Task Force – Syria, U.S. Central Command’s Combined Air Operations Center and the U.S. Air Force’s 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
Following the alleged attack, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a shelter in place alert "out of an abundance of caution." The alert didn't confirm the attack on the air base.
The embassy also issued a "worldwide caution" security alert Sunday before the alleged attack in Qatar. It advised U.S. citizens overseas to "exercise increased caution."
"The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad," the alert reads.
Global Affairs Canada has also said Canadians should avoid all travel to Iran. The webpage was last updated Sunday evening.
It warns that all travel to Iran should be avoided "due to the ongoing hostilities with Israel, the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws." The warning adds that Iranian authorities have arrested or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals "to exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments."
