New batch of Turkish troops arrives in Qatar

Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-20 18:21:35|Editor: ying
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ANKARA, 20 July (Xinhua) -- A new batch of Turkish troops has arrived in Qatar for training exercises with local forces as a part of an Ankara-Doha deal, according to Turkey's state-run media.

The sixth military group arrived in Doha early on Wednesday, including 28 artillerymen in total, state-run Anadolu agency reported, citing Turkish Defense Ministry source.

This deployment is in line with the deal between Ankara and Doha on strengthening military cooperation reached in 2015 and approved by Turkish parliament on June 7, 2017, just two days following the diplomatic row between Qatar and several Gulf states.

The Turkish-Qatari joint drills started in Qatar on June 19 when the first group of Turkish troops arrived at the military base.

Ankara has been backing Qatar as "a longtime ally of Qatar," according to Anadolu reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar on July 23-24 in order to help the settlement of Qatar diplomatic crisis.

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