Azernews.Az

By Ali Mustafayev

Turkey and Qatar have completed join naval drills held as part of two-stage joint exercises amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Doha and several other Arab states.

Qatari Brigadier Hadi Rashid Al Shahwani, commander of the exercise, said that the "Iron Shield" included training of leaders to assess the situation, planning, control and coordination between the two forces, the Qatar New Agency reported.

Skills for the prevention of the attempts to seize strategically important objects, the return of the control over the regions, coordination of the two armies’ actions, planning and assessment of the situation have been practiced during the exercise, according to Al Shahwani.

Over 250 Turkish soldiers participated in joint exercise in order to strengthen Qatar’s defense capability.

The exercises are part of a mutual agreement aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of both countries, as well as boosting efforts to combat armed groups and maintaining stability in the region, according to Anadolu Agency.

The joint exercises took place amid political tension among Gulf countries.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and a number of other countries recently cut ties with Qatar, accusing the emirate of supporting terrorism. Doha refused the accusations, announcing that measures imposed by its Gulf neighbors amount to a “blockade.”

The list of 13 demands, including withdrawal of Turkish military base is still being refused by Doha, stating that it is a matter of its internal policy and the intervention is not permissible.

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