Qatar has condemned the shooting incident inside a church in Texas, which caused a number of deaths and injuries.
The Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement yesterday Qatar’s solidarity with the US and its support for all measures taken to maintain security and stability. It reiterated Qatar’s total rejection of targeting places of worship and intimidating civilians.
The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and the government and the people of the US, wishing speedy recovery for the wounded.
At least 20 worshippers were shot dead by a gunman during a morning service at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, yesterday.
The gunman was killed after a short chase, CNN reported, quoting a sheriff’s office spokesman in Guadalupe County. It was unclear whether the shooter died from a police bullet or at his own hand.
Sutherland Springs is a small rural community about 50km southeast of San Antonio.
With details rapidly unfolding, some unnamed officials were quoted in media reports citing tolls as high as 27 dead and 20 or more wounded.
The shooter reportedly walked into the church shortly before noon – at a morning service that witnesses said was normally attended by some 50 people – and opened fire. A two-year-old was among the wounded, the Dallas Morning News website reported.
A spokeswoman for Connally Memorial Medical Center in nearby Floresville told Fox News that “we have accepted a number of patients from the shooting.”
Qatar condemns missile attack on Riyadh
Qatar has condemned the targeting of the Saudi capital, Riyadh by a ballistic missile. In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s rejection of any direct or indiscriminate attacks against civilians as a violation of international humanitarian law. It called on all parties to avoid escalation and engage in a comprehensive dialogue to end the war and restore stability to Yemen. The statement also reiterated Qatar’s firm and supportive stance of the Gulf initiative, the outcomes of the national dialogue, and UN resolutions aimed at restoring stability in Yemen.
Attacks on Kirkuk mosque denounced
Qatar has denounced the twin attacks on a mosque in central Kirkuk, Iraq, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons. The statement stressed Qatar’s total rejection of targeting places of worship and intimidating civilians. It expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Iraq, wishing the injured speedy recovery.
