Qatari general hails Turkey’s support during Gulf crisis

Qatar will not forget Turkey’s support during the embargo imposed by the Gulf states, Qatari Armed Forces’ Centre for Strategic Studies Commander Staff Brigadier General Dr. Hamad Mohamed al-Marri said on Thursday.

The third Istanbul Security Conference organized by the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM), National Defense and Security Institute (MSGE) and Nişantaşı University started on Nov. 2 in Istanbul. The embargo and restrictions were discussed in the “Gulf Crisis – Strategic and Security Aspects” session. General Dr. Al-Marri in the session addressed the blockade, which began on June 5 following Egypt’s support, and Turkey-Qatar relations.

Al-Marri noted that Turkey’s support to Qatar against the hostile and brutal embargo by the Gulf states meant a lot and that Qatar and its people will never forget Turkey’s support during the crisis.

“This support will leave its mark on history; this gratitude will be inscribed in minds,” he said. Stating that the crisis between Qatar and the Gulf states is ongoing, al-Marri said that they set hopes on the conference held in Istanbul.

Qatari Armed Forces’ Strategic Studies Center researcher Dr. Osama Kubbar gave a speech regarding the recent situation following the embargo led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Noting that Qatar has overcome this difficult period, Dr. Kubbar pointed out that the Gulf crisis is actually a regional one.

“Turkey is the most important country that supported Qatar during the embargo initiated with the claims of [Qatar] promoting terrorism. We have overcome the crisis thanks to Turkey. We pulled through the embargo thanks to Turkey’s aid.”

Istanbul University Center for Iranian Studies Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Uysal said in his speech in the conference that the crises in the region were provoked by the United States. “It might not be the entire United States, but it is a lobby within the U.S. To put it more clearly, we can consider them as the Neocon Israel Lobby,” he added.

Uysal said that Turkey has opposed the embargo on Qatar from day one and tried to find a compromise and mediate between the parties without provoking the embargo states.

“It is not possible for Turkey to adopt an attitude such as: ‘Leave the Gulf alone; let them clash.’ Turkey will continue to adopt its current policies. Therefore, we perceive a serious intention and will.”

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Yemen cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. They also imposed a blockade by land, sea and air.

A joint declaration accused 59 individuals and 12 charity groups in Qatar of being “linked to terror.” Qatar has called the move "unjustified" and denies the charges.