Bulgarian Parliament approves US use of air base to support Middle East operations

Bulgaria’s Parliament approved allowing the U.S. military to use Bezmer Air Base to support Middle East operations, with 136 votes in favor and 13 against. The deployment includes up to eight U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft and 250 personnel until October 1, under a 2006 U.S.-Bulgaria defense agreement requiring parliamentary approval for new uses. Bulgarian officials emphasized the mission would involve only logistical refueling outside Bulgarian airspace, with no involvement in conflict.