Turkiye and Qatar signed a mutual defence agreement on Friday following high-level talks between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul.
In an official statement published on X, the Turkish presidency said that Erdogan emphasised continued joint cooperation to prevent a resurgence of war across the Gulf region, establish a foundation for dialogue, and achieve lasting peace.
The president’s office added that the defence pact would add a new dimension to bilateral relations between Turkiye and Qatar, though specific details of the accord were not disclosed.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, security analyst Yusuf Alabarda explained that nations throughout the region have been feeling the consequences of conflict since the outbreak of the Iran war, resulting in widespread insecurity.
He noted that Gulf countries, particularly Qatar, have come to recognise that security guarantees provided by the United States are not functioning properly.
Alabarda highlighted that whilst Turkish troops stationed in Qatar remain vital, Turkish weapons and air defence systems could soon be deployed to Qatar to ensure its security, which is of major importance to Turkiye.
He added that the newly signed pact will help advance these prospective military deals between the two countries.
