Pentagon Accused of ‘Unacceptable’ Treatment of Navy Families Evacuated from Middle East Base

Democrats have said the Pentagon’s treatment of Navy families evacuated from a military base in the Middle East is “unacceptable”, amid reports that the department is stopping financial support for those affected by the evacuation.

In a letter first obtained by MS Now, 30 Democratic lawmakers from the U.S. House and Senate told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that military families “are continuing to face significant hardship” because of the evacuation of Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which took place early this year.

Because of drone strikes caused by the United States’ war with Iran, which began on Feb. 28, the military evacuated around 1,300 Navy families and civilian dependents from Naval Support Activity Bahrain—the premier U.S. naval base in the Middle East and command center for the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command.

Military.com reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

The drone strikes in the area damaged multiple buildings on the base, which is critical for safeguarding international shipping lanes, projecting maritime power, and managing regional military logistics. It prompted last-minute evacuation notices through March.

The military initially provided those they evacuated with financial and logistical support, but, as first reported by MS Now, citing town hall audio last month, Navy leaders told military families that this support would lapse on Nov. 30, sparking a backlash.

“The department has disbursed approximately $10 million so far in tax-exempt safe haven allowances to military families between February and October 2026,” a Pentagon official told Military.com at the time.

Democrats Demand Answers

Democrats, including Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said “evacuees have been under constant emotional, financial, and psychological stress,” and that removing financial support was “unacceptable” and “bad policy.”

They said many had to move across the world, stay in temporary accommodation, spend a lot of money to facilitate moving, and have had to leave their belongings behind without knowing when they might return.

“The families evacuated from NSA Bahrain have been put through hell. Parents shielding their kids from bomb blasts, homes abandoned in a panic, cherished memories lost forever and now facing huge personal financial burdens,” Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-N.Y), told MS NOW on Monday.

“It is unbelievable the DOD leadership denied the Navy’s request to extend safe haven entitlements,” Ryan, who is also a military veteran, added.

The Democrats have asked the Pentagon to respond to their letter by Nov. 13.

“We have significant concerns about the morale and welfare of the troops deployed to the region,” they said.