Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah in a statement he made to TRT World addressed the blockade imposed on Qatar by the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia. Qatari minister said the shutdown of the Turkish air base was among the 13-point list of demands imposed by these states.
Al-Attiyah, evaluating the failed July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, and stating that Turkey had an exemplary demeanor in the Islamic world, said Qatar may be the next country targeted for a coup attempt.
“We closely followed this event. To be honest, the Qatari emir was the first head of state who called Erdoğan on that day. We think that Qatar might be the next target. Because Turkey and Qatar have a common dignified attitude toward the world’s oppressed. At this point, Qatar might be the next target,” said Qatari Defense Minister.
Regarding the issue whether Turkey’s air base in Qatar is a matter of discussion, Al-Attiyah added: “Yes, it was. The shutdown of Turkey’s air base was on the 13-point list of demands. However, we were not the ones who determined that an attack and the imposing of a blockade on Qatar should take place. They chose the time of blockade. Therefore, they cannot demand us to shut down an air base which has been long-known by everyone. These are the relations of these two countries; these two sovereign states and it concerns only them.”
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, cut all economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the accusations.
