Turkish troop presence in Qatar angers Bahrain

Manama calls it a military escalation of a diplomatic dispute

riyadh — Bahrain’s foreign minister accused Qatar on Monday of creating a military escalation in a dispute with regional powers, in an apparent reference to Doha’s decision to let more Turkish troops enter its territory.

Bahrain, alongside Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt imposed a boycott on Qatar three weeks ago, accusing it of backing terrorists — then issued an ultimatum, including demands that Qatar shut down a Turkish military base in Doha.

Turkey, the most powerful regional player to stand with Qatar, has increased the number of its troops in the base since the crisis erupted.

“The foundation of the dispute with Qatar is diplomatic and security-oriented, never military,” Bahrain’s foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said in a message on Twitter. “Bringing in foreign armies and their armoured vehicles is the military escalation that Qatar has created,” he added, without mentioning Turkey. In earlier tweets on Sunday, Sheikh Khalid said external interference would not solve the problem.

Two contingents of Turkish troops with columns of armoured vehicles have arrived in Doha since the crisis erupted, along with 100 cargo planes loaded with supplies. Turkey also rushed through legislation to send more troops to the base days after the sanctions were imposed in a show of support.

The foundation of the dispute with Qatar is diplomatic and security oriented, never military Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s foreign minister

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