Doha: According to sources, Qatari Defense Minister Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah announced that his country would expand the American airbase and allow them to get nearly 200 more housing units for officers and their families.
“It will very soon become family oriented place for our American friends there. We want more of the families to be stable and feel more comfortable in their stay,” he informed at an event held by the Heritage Foundation, a US-based Think Tank.
“The purpose of expansion of US military is to serve as one of the most important overseas US military bases with operations through the Middle East,” he added.
Previously, the US military moved to Qatar after evacuating the Prince Sultan air force base in KSA.
He said, “Qatar is strategically placed. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria – these are all hotspots in region. I am not exaggerating when I say 80 percent of aerial refuelling in the region is from Udeid.
“We’re the ones that keep your birds flying.
“We’re learning a lot on the military side by flying side-by-side. We are learning from the Americans, it’s a real operational environment.”
Earlier last year, after the US Presidential visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi and its allies cut their diplomatic ties from that tiny enriched oil Gulf state by accusing it as a supporter of Saudi Arch rival Iran.
“What’s happening in the region in the past seven months isn’t good for the secure flow of energy. Keeping the GCC in coherent status is very important for a safe and smooth flow of energy,” said Attiyah.
He said that during that his hard times US supported him especially in GCC crisis and Mr.Trump’s call resolved all issues with Saudi Arabia and its allies.
He concluded his speech by informing them that there would be no compromise on sovereignty of the state as they were tough people and didn’t accept any pre-conditions and meanwhile they openly discuss their issues openly.
Debates have started among analysts and experts about the U-Turn of Qatari’s Emir.
Reporter: Syeda Faiza Bukhari
