Azernews.Az

By Ali Mustafayev

Turkey and Qatar launched a joint military exercise on the backdrop of the continuation of the crisis in the Gulf.

Turkey and Qatar conduct joint military exercises in emirate with the participation of over Turkish 250 troopers and more than 30 armored vehicles, a Turkish official has told to Hürriyet Daily News.

The exercises will be held in two phases. First phase with the participation of land forces and second with the participation of naval forces. Turkish frigate F-496 TCG “Gokova” with 214 troopers aboard arrived to the Hamad port to start the exercises.

The exercises are aimed “at strengthening the defense capabilities of both countries” and are conducted amid the agreement between Turkey and Qatar signed in 2014.

Turkey is one of the main supporters of Doha in its strained relations with four Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut off ties with Qatar in early June, restricting access to their airspace and ports and sealing Qatar's only land border, which it shares with Saudi Arabia.

The four states issued a 13-point list of demands to end the standoff and urged the natural gas-rich country to stop “financing terrorism” and cease ties with Iran.

The list of demands presented to Qatar also included withdrawal of Turkish military base. Doha refused to comply with the demands, stating that it is a matter of its internal policy and the intervention is not permissible.

Previously, Turkish Minister of Economic Affairs Nihat Zeybekchi, stated that Turkey is ready to provide Qatar with all the needs if it is necessary. The minister regards Qatar’s investment abilities in Turkish economic sector, pointing out the strategic nature of Turkish-Qatar relationship.

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan has urged the conflicting sides to pursue direct dialogue among all the states involved.

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