Turkey, Qatar launch joint military exercises

Turkey and its main regional ally Qatar launch military exercises in the emirate that will involve some 250 Turkish troops and 30 armored vehicles.

The exercises come as Ankara presses on with its unequivocal backing of Doha, in the crisis triggered by the political and economic isolation of Qatar by Gulf and other Arab states led by Saudi Arabia.

Turkish state media says that the Turkish frigate TCG Gokova had docked in Doha earlier this week, carrying 214 soldiers who would take part in the exercises.

The exercises got underway on Tuesday and would initially involve ground forces, with naval forces joining later on, NTV television said. An observation day involving top commanders would take place on August 7-8, it adds.

A total of 250 Turkish soldiers and 30 armoured vehicles will take part, it said.

— AFP