Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed military cooperation on Thursday with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman via phone call, according to Arab News.
Both ministers discussed the Saudi-Qatari fraternal relations in the defense sector and explored ways to further boost them.
They also tackled regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Notably, the call came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump provided Qatar with an unprecedented security guarantee. This means that Washington would defend Doha — including with military force — if it came under attack, in a commitment likened to NATO’s Article 5.
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the order said.
This significant move followed an Israeli strike on Doha in September that targeted Hamas leaders who were negotiating to reach a peace deal for Gaza War.
The attack raised international concerns over US security commitments in the region.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized his pivotal “support for Qatar in all measures it will take”.
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