New Turkish Military Base in Qatar Set to Be Inaugurated in Autumn

Turkey's President Erdogan reviews Turkish troops during his visit at the Qatari-Turkish Armed Forces Land Command Base in Doha, Qatar, on November 15, 2017. (Reuters)
Turkey's President Erdogan reviews Turkish troops during his visit at the Qatari-Turkish Armed Forces Land Command Base in Doha, Qatar, on November 15, 2017. (Reuters)
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New Turkish Military Base in Qatar Set to Be Inaugurated in Autumn

Turkey's President Erdogan reviews Turkish troops during his visit at the Qatari-Turkish Armed Forces Land Command Base in Doha, Qatar, on November 15, 2017. (Reuters)
Turkey's President Erdogan reviews Turkish troops during his visit at the Qatari-Turkish Armed Forces Land Command Base in Doha, Qatar, on November 15, 2017. (Reuters)

A new Turkish military base will be inaugurated in Qatar in autumn, revealed Hurriyet daily news Wednesday.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The writer of the report, Hande Firat traveled to Doha to visit the Tariq bin Ziyad base where Turkish soldiers have been deployed since October 2015.

The military base in Qatar is getting bigger. A new base has been built near the Tariq bin Ziyad military base, said Hurriyet.

The number of soldiers will increase, added Fande without disclosing their numbers out of consideration of “Turkey’s interests and security”.

“I can say that it will reach a drastic figure. Qatar also attaches a great deal of importance to this military base,” she revealed.

Turkish soldiers were deployed to the said military base in October 2015. Ankara and Doha formed a higher strategic committee that same year in order to bolster their relations.

Qatar had also resorted to Turkish security support after the 2017 economic and diplomatic boycott by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

Ankara has since boosted its presence at the Qatari base that can host some 3,000 soldiers.



Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi security forces have dismantled criminal networks operating in the Riyadh and Hail regions that were trafficking in amphetamine, methamphetamine (known locally as shabu), and medically regulated pills, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The networks were uncovered based on intelligence gathered by relevant authorities within the ministry, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. A total of 37 individuals were arrested, including 28 Saudi nationals—among them one employee from the Interior Ministry, two from the National Guard, two from the Ministry of Defense, and one from the Ministry of Health.

Also detained were two Ethiopian nationals accused of violating border security laws, five Syrian expatriates, and two Yemenis—one a resident and the other a visitor.

Authorities said all legal procedures had been completed, and the suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.

The Interior Ministry said the announcement underscored the vigilance of Saudi security forces in confronting criminal plots aimed at targeting the kingdom and its youth with narcotics.

It added that authorities would continue to thwart such schemes and take firm action against anyone involved, regardless of their status, to safeguard the security of Saudi Arabia, its citizens, and residents.