Senior officials from Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior holding a joint press conference yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Senior officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior held a joint press conference yesterday, affirming that the Qatari Armed Forces possess full capabilities and resources to protect the country’s sovereignty, safeguard its territory, and firmly confront any external threat.
Addressing the press conference, Lieutenant Colonel (Staff) Nasser Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Acting Director of the Moral Guidance Directorate at the Ministry of Defense, announced that Qatar had successfully intercepted a large number of repeated missile waves and unmanned aerial vehicles launched from the Islamic Republic of Iran targeting several areas across Qatar.
He stated that the Armed Forces detected 65 ballistic missiles and 12 drones arriving in successive waves. The first detection occurred at 11:39am on Saturday, February 28 (yesterday).
According to Al-Kubaisi, the threat was addressed immediately upon detection in line with pre-approved operational plans. As a result, 63 ballistic missiles and 11 drones were intercepted before reaching their intended targets. Due to the intensity and multiple directions of the attacks, two ballistic missiles reached Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and one drone targeted an early warning radar system and no fatalities were reported. He stressed that the Qatari Armed Forces have full readiness and the necessary capabilities to protect the nation’s sovereignty and respond decisively to any external aggression. The Ministry of Defense called on citizens, residents and visitors to remain reassured, adhere strictly to instructions issued by security authorities, avoid rumors, and rely solely on information released through official channels.
Director of Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Sultan Al-Hashmi expressed Qatar’s strong and unequivocal condemnation of the targeting of its territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, describing the act as a blatant violation of national sovereignty and a direct threat to the country’s security and territorial integrity. He characterized the attack as a dangerous and unjustified escalation that threatens regional stability.
He reaffirmed that Qatar reserves its full and legitimate right to respond to the attack in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in a manner proportionate to the nature and scale of the aggression, in defense of its sovereignty and protection of its national security and supreme interests.
Al-Hashemi noted that Qatar has consistently been among the first to advocate dialogue with Iran, emphasizing that frank and responsible dialogue remains the optimal path to resolving disputes peacefully and avoiding escalation.
However, he stressed, that repeated targeting of Qatari territory contradicts the principles of good neighborliness and cannot be justified under any pretext, especially given Qatar’s longstanding efforts to distance itself from regional conflicts and its role as a trusted and neutral mediator seeking to facilitate dialogue between conflicting parties in service of regional and international peace and stability.
“Qatar also extended its sincere condolences to the family of a Pakistani national who died after shrapnel fell in a residential area in Abu Dhabi as a result of the attacks. The State expressed condolences to the governments of the UAE and Pakistan,” he said, stressing that targeting civilians or exposing them to danger, directly or indirectly, constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and is unacceptable under any circumstances.
The Ministry concluded by renewing Qatar’s call for the immediate cessation of all military and escalatory actions, urging a return to dialogue, reason and wisdom to contain the crisis and prevent broader confrontations that could have serious repercussions for regional and international peace and security.
Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah said the ministry operated within an integrated field and operational response system in coordination with relevant authorities to maintain public security and ensure community safety.
He confirmed that several official statements and warning messages were issued, reassuring the public that conditions inside Qatar remain stable and secure and that the attacks were successfully intercepted. “The ministry urged citizens, residents and visitors to obtain information only from official sources, avoid spreading rumours, refrain from approaching any unidentified objects or debris, and report such findings via the emergency number 999.”
He said early warning alerts were activated on mobile phones, instructing the public to remain indoors and avoid leaving their homes except in cases of extreme necessity. Al-Muftah stated that authorities responded to 114 reports of falling debris across northern, southern, central and western regions of the country. “Eight people were injured as a result of shrapnel. Four of the injured are currently receiving treatment in hospital, including one in critical condition, while four others received the necessary treatment and were discharged. Material damage to public and private property was also reported.”
He stressed that the ministry will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone spreading false information or rumours.
