Turkish police backup for Qatar's World Cup

Turkey and Qatar have signed a security protocol for the deployment of Turkish police units to the Gulf state during the FIFA World Cup to be held in November-December 2022. However, the deal will not be terminated at the end of the tournament. 

The deal is valid for five years and will be renewed upon the agreement of the parties. The validity period of the agreement revealed that Turkish police might be deployed during other mega events to be held after the World Cup and perhaps will be allowed to remain indefinitely.

The controversial security agreement between allies Turkey and Qatar has drawn scrutiny from opposition parties in Ankara, drawing backlash from main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

The 10-article agreement was submitted to parliament for ratification on January 7, 2020 by Turkish President Erdogan who seeks to expand Turkish military and security presence in Qatar, threatening the little emirate's national sovereignty.

The Turkish government has augmented its military base in Qatar with naval and air assets in addition to land troops, expanding what started off as a small base into a joint force headquarters.

Since 2015, Turkish forces have been active at the Tariq bin Ziyad military base outside Doha and have expanded their presence there over the years.

According to reports, the Turkish military force at its base in Qatar will grow to 3,000 troops. In addition to military personnel, the deployment of police units will increase Turkey’s visibility in the Gulf.

Critics have long condemned the Turkish leader’s relations with the ideologically aligned Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Tensions regarding Turkey-Qatari cooperation reflect ongoing disdain among opposition members and opposition news outlets regarding deepening ties between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Doha.

Roughly 100 years after Ottoman troops left their last garrison in the Persian Gulf, fleeing to Iran following violent confrontations with the British, the return of Turkish troops to Qatar fits well with perceptions of the ‘neo-Ottoman’ ambitions on the part of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.