US will act with all lawful and appropriate means if Qatar is attacked. (Photo: Reuters) US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order effectively providing a US security guarantee to the Gulf state of Qatar. The executive order states that any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar would be considered a threat to the peace and security of the United States.
Trump’s security guarantee for Qatar
According to the order, in the event of such an attack, Washington will act with “all lawful and appropriate means — diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military, to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.”
The order also instructs the Secretary of War and the Secretary of State to conduct joint planning with Qatar and coordinate assistance measures with other allies.
According to Israeli media, the executive order was signed the same day Trump and Netanyahu unveiled a “21-point plan” for ending the Gaza war.
Doha airstrike
Though the order states that the decision was based on years of US-Qatari cooperation and the Gulf state hosting American forces, enabling “critical security operations,” and acting as “a steadfast partner in the pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East and around the world,” it comes less than a month after Israel launched an air strike in Doha, targeting Hamas leaders there.
Qatar and other Arab states reacted strongly to the September 9 airstrike, and the US had denounced the operation. Trump went one step further and guaranteed Qatar that such an attack on the country wouldn’t be repeated.
Netanyahu apologised to Qatari PM
The Doha air strike, which failed to achieve its goal, also featured in the talks between Trump and Netanyahu in the White House on Monday. During the meeting, Netanyahu, reportedly on the behest of Trump, spoke to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, where he apologised for the violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and expressed regret over the death of a Qatari serviceman.
According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the call “was part of US efforts to address the repercussions of the Israeli aggression that targeted a residential neighbourhood in Doha city, which included housing for the Hamas negotiating delegation, resulting in a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar”.
Qatar’s role in Middle East peace process
Earlier, Qatar, which is hosting top Hamas leaders and has considerable influence on the Palestinian militant group, had suspended its mediation efforts to end the conflict in Gaza following the Israeli attack.
Analysts believe that Qatar could play a key role in making Hamas accept the 20-point peace plan proposed by Trump to end the war in Gaza.
On Monday, following Netanyahu’s apology, Al Thani said his country is ready to continue its efforts to end the war in Gaza.
