From a military base to mutual defense: why did Turkey become one of Qatar's main allies?
The new Ankara-Doha defense agreement, signed on November 13, solidifies a partnership that has already been tested in several regional crises. Moreover, the Turkish military presence in Qatar almost became the cause of an even more serious conflict between the Arab monarchies.
Why did they demand the withdrawal of Turkish forces in 2017?
During the blockade of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt submitted 13 demands to Doha. Among them was the closure of a Turkish military base. Ankara refused to withdraw its troops, and in 2019 the parties opened a new joint command headquarters.
The crisis began on June 5, 2017, when four countries severed diplomatic relations with Qatar and restricted transport links with it, accusing Doha of supporting extremist organizations. In addition to the withdrawal of the Turkish army, Qatar was required to close the Al Jazeera television channel and reduce ties with Iran. Erdogan saw these conditions as an interference in the country's sovereign affairs. Moreover, Turkey accelerated the deployment of additional troops and organized food supplies to Qatar. Even after the end of the siege in January 2021, the Turkish base continued to operate.
How did Turkey ensure the security of the World Cup?
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2,242 Turkish police officers, including bomb disposal specialists, worked in Qatar. Turkish units took part in ensuring the security of all 64 matches in eight stadiums, as well as a fan zone intended for 40 thousand spectators.
Preparations began long before the championship: Turkish experts trained 677 Qatari security officers in 38 regions.
Why does Qatar need another military ally?
The country is already home to the largest American military base in the Middle East - al-Odeed, where about 10,000 American soldiers are stationed.