US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order pledging full American support for Qatar’s security, even promising military action if the Gulf nation comes under attack.
The order, dated September 29, was issued just weeks after Israeli airstrikes on Doha left several people dead, including a Qatari security officer.
Any attack on Qatar is an attack on the US
The executive order makes it clear that Washington will treat any armed assault on Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure as a direct threat to US peace and security.
“In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar,” the order states.
Israeli strike sparks backlash
The new US commitment comes in the wake of an Israeli airstrike on Qatar.
The attack killed the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, four others, and a member of Qatar’s internal security forces, Corporal Bader Saad al-Humaidi al-Dosari.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, saying Doha was providing a “safe haven” to Hamas.
Qatar, which has played a key role as a mediator in Gaza, strongly condemned the strikes. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described them as “state terror.”
Netanyahu apologises after deaths
Following international criticism, Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli leader had personally called the Qatari prime minister to apologise and express regret over the killing of a Qatari official.
He insisted that Israel did not intend to breach Qatar’s sovereignty and pledged to prevent similar incidents.
US security guarantees under scrutiny
Qatar hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region, and in return, Washington has long acted as a security guarantor.
Trump’s latest order strengthens that promise, but the Israeli strike carried out by America’s closest ally in the region has raised difficult questions for Doha.
