Egypt, Qatar to Boost Military Cooperation through Training, Exchange of Expertise

Egypt and Qatar agreed to coordinate efforts to confront challenges in the region. (Egyptian military spokesman)
Egypt and Qatar agreed to coordinate efforts to confront challenges in the region. (Egyptian military spokesman)
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Egypt, Qatar to Boost Military Cooperation through Training, Exchange of Expertise

Egypt and Qatar agreed to coordinate efforts to confront challenges in the region. (Egyptian military spokesman)
Egypt and Qatar agreed to coordinate efforts to confront challenges in the region. (Egyptian military spokesman)

Egypt and Qatar are boosting their military cooperation, focusing on joint training and the exchange of expertise. Both countries have agreed to coordinate efforts to address regional challenges.

According to a statement by the Egyptian military spokesperson on Saturday, Egypt’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah during an official visit to Qatar.

The meeting covered several topics of mutual interest and underlined “a shared vision regarding developments and the challenges facing regional security, and the importance of coordinating efforts and working together to tackle these challenges.”

Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been leading mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza. In November 2023, they successfully brokered the first ceasefire, but a second agreement has faced difficulties amid ongoing negotiations.

During the meeting, Qatar’s Chief of Staff expressed his country’s commitment to expanding military cooperation with Egypt in the future.

Since the normalization of relations between Cairo and Doha in 2021, the partnership between the two countries has grown, supported by high-level reciprocal visits.

This renewed cooperation has also positively impacted the economic sector. Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly commended Qatar’s announcement in March 2022 of a $5 billion investment in an interview with Qatar News Agency last year.

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,Dr. Badr Abdelatty also emphasized during his visit to Qatar in late July the “significant transformation in Egyptian-Qatari relations over the past two years, with summit-level visits providing a strong boost across all areas.”

The Chiefs of Staff of Egypt and Qatar also visited the Al-Zaeem Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah Air Academy, where they were briefed on the college’s advanced capabilities and training systems for preparing Qatari pilots using the latest global standards.

Additionally, they visited the National Service Academy where they reviewed the academy’s role and operational system, which adopts scientific methods to prepare and qualify Qatari youth for various functions in national service.

Several senior officials from both the Egyptian and Qatari armed forces participated in the meetings and visits.



Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
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Saudi National Center for Meteorology Warns of Heavy Rain in Makkah

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah amid rainfall. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology warned on Friday of heavy rains in Makkah and Al-Jumum Governorate including the centers of Rahat and Madrakah.

The rain will be accompanied by strong winds, lack of horizontal visibility, hail, torrents, and thunderstorms.

It said the weather conditions will continue until Friday night.

Meanwhile, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, in cooperation with other government agencies working in the Grand Mosque, intensified cleaning and drying of the Mataf area (circumambulation track) after the rainfall witnessed in Makkah on Thursday to ensure the safety and security of worshippers and Umrah performers.

The authority mobilized more than 200 supervisors and observers, 4,000 workers, and more than 500 pieces of equipment to deal with the rain.

To ensure the thoroughness of the cleaning process, water suction and washing equipment were strategically distributed both inside and outside the Grand Mosque.