President Trump Signs Executive Order To Protect Qatar

President Trump. (Twitter/@WhiteHouse)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging to use all measures, including the United States military action, to protect Qatar.

The executive order, published on Wednesday but dated Monday, was issued following an Israeli attack on Doha targeting Hamas leaders last month.

The order mentions "close cooperation" and "coupling interests" of the two countries, and promises to "guarantee the security and integrity of Qatari's territory from external attacks."

"The United States will consider any armed attack on Qatar's territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure as a threat to the peace and security of the United States," the order reads, quoted from the Associated Press Oct. 1.

"If such an attack occurs, the United States will take all legitimate and appropriate measures including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, the military to defend the interests of the United States and Qatari countries and restore peace and stability," the statement said.

Israel attacked Doha to target the elite Palestinian militant group Hamas on September 9. Five members of Hamas and a Qatari security officer were killed in the attack.

President Trump was unhappy with the attack, saying it was not advancing the United States and Israel's goals.

Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the attack on Doha on Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, saying Israel would no longer repeat such an attack.

Qatar itself is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, to be precise the vast Al Udeid Air Base. President Joe Biden appointed Qatar as the main non-NATO ally in 2022.

The executive order was issued as part of the formulation of President Trump's plans to end the war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.