Thaad: The US may move its anti-missile system out of South Korea - and it's sparking unease

The US is relocating parts of a missile defence system installed in South Korea to the Middle East, according to officials cited by the Washington Post and South Korean news outlets.

The reported move comes 12 days into the US-Israeli war against Iran, and follows reports suggesting Iran had destroyed a key radar used by the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, system in Jordan.

Thaad was first deployed to South Korea in 2017 to protect against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.

The move was met with anger and protests from South Koreans who feared it made them a bigger target, while China warned it could destabilise the region.

Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that parts of the Thaad system were being moved to the Middle East, citing two officials.