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.



Saudi Crown Prince, Iraqi Prime Minister Discuss Developments in Syria

Iraq's Prime Minister in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - Photo by SPA
Iraq's Prime Minister in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - Photo by SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince, Iraqi Prime Minister Discuss Developments in Syria

Iraq's Prime Minister in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - Photo by SPA
Iraq's Prime Minister in a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - Photo by SPA

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed developments in Syria at a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This came during al-Sudani's visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his office said.

Sudani emphasized "Iraq's keenness on the unity of Syria, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for the free will of the Syrians."

The two sides also reviewed bilateral ties and ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.