Doha’s actions speak louder than words, leaving it ridiculous to believe Qatari claims on seeking Gulf and Arab stability and security. Qatar’s hefty support for Iran-aligned militias in Yemen is but one of many other regional moves played by the gas-rich peninsula to undermine regional security.
Many Gulf-related policy experts and analysts concluded that time-to-time statements made by Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Thani on his country's keenness to support stability in Yemen give rise to suspicions on the true nature of Qatar’s role in the war-torn country.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa had made comments backing suspicions on logistic and material support provided by Qatar to Iran and Yemeni Houthi militia to fight against the Arab Coalition—a package which has contributed to a fight that cost the life of 10 UAE soldiers.
Removing Qatari forces from the Saudi-led Arab Coalition backing the internationally-recognized government in Yemen against a coup staged by Houthi militias sponsored by Iran gave a clear signal of the close ties joining Doha and Tehran, head of the International Institute of Iranian Studies Dr. Mohammad al-Salami told Asharq Al-Awsat.
However, the Iranian-Qatari alliance is old and not recent, he explained.
“There is diplomatic, political and military coordination between the parties—actually, there is a joint Doha-Tehran political committee which met more than once—we strongly remember the 2014 meetings,” he adds.
Exposed by the current crisis in Yemen and the Arab boycott against Qatar, evidence on Qatari efforts spent on strengthening Houthi coupists in Yemen in coordination with the Iranian regime is overwhelming.
There is also a joint effort between Tehran and Doha on forming of a united front for lobbying in the West to place pressure on the Arab Coalition.
“The picture is now clear to all Arab societies that Doha and Tehran stand in a single trench, against the Arab Coalition and against the stability of the Arab states,” concluded the head of the International Institute of Iranian Studies.
On the other hand, military and strategic expert Brigadier Dr. Ali Touati said that Qatari support for Iranian interest is not surprising. Doha has long been working against Gulf and Arab interests in Yemen since it first supported coup agents there.
"We have been accustomed to Qatari politicians that what they say is something, and what appears on the ground is something else, especially in secret, we allow the words and sentences that appear to be in favor of Arab and Gulf states, but what is happening in secret is against the Arab interests and serves the Iranian agenda completely,” said political researcher Dr. Fahd Al-Shlaimi.
