Qatar condemns Iran missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Majed bin Mohammed al- Ansari expressed Qatar's strong condemnation of the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and considered this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the UN Charter.He affirmed that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.Dr al-Ansari reassured that Qatar's air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles.He also emphasized that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security, calling for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.Dr al-Ansari said Qatar was one of the first countries to warn against the dangers of Israeli escalation in the region, and have consistently called for diplomatic solutions to be prioritized and have stressed the importance of good-neighbourliness and avoiding escalation, reaffirming that dialogue is the only way to overcome the current crises and ensure the security of the region and the peace of its people.The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others, while confirming that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack.During a press conference, broadcasted by Qatar TV, Dr al-Ansari said: "Since the escalation of threats against bases hosting US forces in our region, Qatar has taken all precautionary measures resulting in the failure of the attack and the protection of Qatar and its people from its consequences. We consider this attack surprising in light of Qatar's stances, its commitment to good neighbourliness and its approach to mediation in resolving crises,” he said.He thanked all brotherly and friendly countries for their support in the wake of the attack.He explained that exams will be postponed for one day only, with the tests returning to their normal schedule next Wednesday.