Qatar's air defense systems intercepted multiple missiles over the capital Doha on Monday after Iran launched a military operation targeting U.S. forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, reported Xinhua.
Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that Qatar's defenses "successfully thwarted the attack and shot down the Iranian missiles."
Al-Ansari condemned the strike as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter." He warned that Qatar reserves the right to respond, while affirming that no injuries or casualties were reported.
He added that the Al Udeid base had been evacuated in advance and that all necessary precautions had been taken to ensure the safety of personnel. Al-Ansari called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged a return to negotiations and dialogue.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile campaign, dubbed "Annunciation of Victory," saying it was targeting U.S. military installations in Iraq and Qatar. The IRGC described Al Udeid as "the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and the largest strategic asset" of the U.S. military in West Asia.
"Iran will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security unanswered under any circumstances," the IRGC said, referring to U.S. airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday.
Airspace closures followed the attacks across the Gulf region. Qatar and the neighboring United Arab Emirates closed their airspace ahead of the strikes. Bahrain and Kuwait also announced temporary airspace closures on Monday as precautionary measures.
The Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of U.S. and allied troops and serves as a key hub for U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
- Iran
- Attacks
- US
- Base
- Qatar
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi