Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Khalifa bin Mubarak Al Thani: The Qatari Regime Worked on Shattering the Family

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The ruling Al Thani family in Qatar suffers from the risk of fragmentation and division, as many of its members are subjected to harsh practices because of their opposition to the regime’s policies. Many members have decided to emigrate or were forced to leave the country.

Khalifa bin Mubarak bin Khalifa Al Thani is among the family members, who left Qatar for rejecting the regime’s policies.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Qatari ruling authorities were monitoring Al Thani’s young generation, fearing their union against the regime.

He also stressed that the Qatari regime’s hostility towards the “Gulf House” has negatively affected members of the ruling family. The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, took a number of measures in an attempt to contain the opposition from within the family.

“They ordered the shooting of Nasser bin Hamad, broke his leg, and poisoned Suhaim bin Hamad. Today, the situation is different, and I hope the young people of Al Thani family make the decision and seek to save Qatar,” Khalifa bin Mubarak said.

He explained that their opposition to the policies of the Qatari regime was not something new, but a reaction to its continued interference in some countries’ internal affairs, its enmity towards Gulf countries and its incessant attempt to distinguish between the Qatari citizens and the peoples of the Gulf.

“How can we support the Qatari regime, which calls for divisions within the Gulf and supports terrorism?” He asked, noting that the ruling authority has welcomed Turkish army on the Qatari territory
to protect the soil of our homeland.”

“We now feel that our territory has become a Turkish colony, and we are carrying out what foreigners dictate to us in order to protect the regime,” he affirmed.

Khalifa bin Mubarak also revealed that the Qatari state budget and its expenses “go to the West in exchange for protecting the regime”, while ignoring the people and the country’s development and stability.

He said that the “heavily armed” Turkish troops were stationed at around 500 meters from the residence of the ruling power. “On the other hand, the Qatari army, which is supposed to protect the state, the regime and the people no longer has any role within the territory,” he noted.

“The Qatari regime does not seek to establish an army of its own people, because it does not trust them… When it felt weak, it sought the help of the West and asked for the assistance of Turks and Iranians,” according to Khalifa bin Mubarak.

Underlining “the Qatari youth’s anger at the regime’s practices at home and abroad,” he stressed the need for a change that would bring about unity and solidarity among the people.

“What is happening in Qatar today is horrifying and threatens the future of the country at all levels, in terms of embracing all terrorist symbols from different places, supporting the subversive groups, in addition to the full submission to Turkey, which is increasing day by day in a humiliating and unacceptable manner,” he warned.

“The cleansing of Qatar, and the end of the boycott will only happen when the structure of the regime is changed,” Khalifa bin Mubarak affirmed.

“It is likely to hear of a coup within the Qatari regime. This was previously done by the former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, when he turned on his father and became the ruler,” he explained.



Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemen’s Defense Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri, does not expect Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to stop even if the Gaza war ends. He also warns of rising tensions in the region, which could lead to a major conflict.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Daeri affirmed close coordination between Yemeni forces and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition. He praised Saudi Arabia’s key role in the coalition, highlighting its continuous support for Yemen.

Al-Daeri said there has been significant progress in unifying government-aligned military forces, with committees set up by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) establishing a joint operations authority.

Despite challenges, he remains optimistic that these efforts will help unify the military command against the common enemy — Yemen’s Houthi militias.

Al-Daeri warned that Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea are a serious threat to Yemen and the region. He noted that the Houthis are using these attacks to distract from their internal problems and are trying to capitalize on Yemeni sympathy for Palestine by claiming support for Gaza.

He added that the Houthis are unlikely to stop targeting international shipping, even if the Gaza war ends, and are constantly seeking new alliances with terrorist groups to strengthen their position.

Al-Daeri, accused Iran of fueling instability in Yemen by supporting Houthi militias for years, smuggling weapons and military experts to spread chaos without regard for regional stability.

On US relations, Al-Daeri said ties are good but military cooperation remains limited. He noted that US military aid, suspended in 2014, has not yet returned to previous levels.

Al-Daeri said his visit to Saudi Arabia was part of ongoing coordination with the Joint Operations Command and the Saudi Ministry of Defense to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

During his “productive” visit, Al-Daeri met with several military leaders, congratulated the new commander of the Joint Operations, Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Salman, and held talks with officials from the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.

Al-Daeri emphasized the strong defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly during Yemen’s war in recent years.

He noted that the high level of coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab Coalition members has significantly improved regional military readiness.

Al-Daeri said relations with Saudi Arabia are growing stronger, with both countries working closely together to fulfill their missions in the region.

He described defense cooperation as being at its peak, praising Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Arab Coalition.

“Saudi Arabia has always provided full support—military, financial, and moral. As the region’s strongest power, they have supported Yemen not just with resources, but also with strategic expertise and by fighting alongside us, even sacrificing their lives for our cause,” Al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Houthi militias have taken advantage of the ceasefire and the Saudi-led initiative, which later became a UN effort, to conduct hostile activities and assert their presence.

He referred to the Houthis’ actions as creating a “massive prison” for millions of Yemenis who do not want to live in their controlled areas.

Al-Daeri, described the situation in the region as dangerous, pointing to recent events in Gaza and Lebanon as signs of increasing tensions. He warned of the risk of an unprecedented regional war due to the rising violence and conflicts.

“What is happening is very alarming, especially with the recent events, including terrorist militias in Yemen, the unacceptable violence in Gaza over the past year, and the situation in southern Lebanon. This all signals the risk of an unusual war,” said al-Daeri.

Regarding potential outcomes, al-Daeri noted that Yemeni forces are ready for both war and peace. He acknowledged significant efforts to achieve peace but warned that renewed conflict could occur at any moment. He also pointed out ongoing provocations from Houthis, which continue to lead to casualties.

"We are ready for all options and have comprehensive strategic plans for deploying our forces. The past two years have seen a ceasefire, and the Arab Coalition is making significant efforts to achieve peace rather than resorting to war. However, this does not mean that conflict won’t resume; it could restart at any time,” explained al-Daeri.

“Despite the ceasefire and the presence of our forces, the legitimate troops have not fired back, yet the militias provoke us daily, resulting in casualties,” he added.

“Patience is a key quality of the legitimate authority in Yemen, led by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his colleagues in the Presidential Leadership Council. This patience reflects our readiness for the moment of truth, whether for peace or war—we are prepared,” asserted al-Daeri.