An interview conducted by Qatar TV with His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Interior, Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), and Chairman of the Civil Defense Council, highlighted the key measures and precautions taken by the state to ensure security and stability amid the rapid regional developments the area is witnessing. His Excellency reassured citizens and residents that the security situation is stable and under full control, while affirming the readiness of its various institutions to handle all potential scenarios with high efficiency.
He noted that this stability comes by the grace of Allah, followed by the continuous efforts of the security and military agencies, and the wise directives of His Highness the Father Amir of the beloved country, who places the safety of everyone living on Qatari soil as the top priority.
His Excellency explained that the competent authorities are monitoring developments moment by moment within an integrated system aimed at maintaining normal daily life, stressing that the state will not hesitate to take any necessary measures to ensure community security and stability.
Regarding coordination of efforts among various entities, the Minister pointed out that what has been achieved today is the result of tireless work and continuous preparedness over the past five years, with all state entities operating as one team without isolation, which has contributed to elevating the national readiness level.
He clarified that the Watani exercise, implemented in multiple editions, played a pivotal role in enhancing this coordination, encompassing various military, security, and civil institutions and sectors to unify efforts and procedures under one umbrella. This was in addition to the Civil Defense Council’s coordination role to ensure integration of plans with field execution and prevent any duplication of jurisdictions.
His Excellency added that these exercises included multiple emergency scenarios, contributing to enhancing the capacity to handle various challenges with high efficiency.
His Excellency the Minister addressed the vital role played by the National Command Center at the Ministry of Interior, affirming that it represents one of the most important pillars of the state’s command and control system, operating around the clock using advanced systems for monitoring, analysis, and information exchange among various entities.
His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani pointed out that this integration contributes to supporting decision-making and accelerating responses to any developments, revealing that the Central Operations Room recently handled more than 5,000 reports, including hundreds related to shrapnel at over 600 sites, reflecting the scale of effort invested in monitoring the field situation.
In the context of national readiness, His Excellency the Minister affirmed that the State of Qatar possesses clear strategies in food security, achieving distinguished results in recent years. He explained that the strategic food stockpile has been raised from nine months to one and a half years, providing a large safety margin in facing crises.
He noted that the state has not yet needed to use this stockpile but continues to strengthen it, in addition to opening new supply lines to ensure stable food flow under all circumstances.
Regarding water, the Minister reassured that the situation is highly reassuring, confirming that the state has worked in recent years to build an integrated water security system, enhancing strategic storage capacity, with the current stockpile sufficient for four months of consumption.
He added that the competent authorities continue to work on increasing this stockpile within national plans aimed at ensuring water resource sustainability under all conditions.
On the health sector front, His Excellency the Minister confirmed that the adopted plans have been successfully implemented to ensure continuity of healthcare provision without interruption. He noted that the number of handled cases reached 26, while maintaining a strategic stockpile of essential medicines sufficient for nine months, plus medical supplies for a full year.
He explained that this readiness ensures continuity of health services without any impact, even under exceptional circumstances.
Regarding environmental indicators, His Excellency the Minister affirmed that the competent authorities continuously monitor air and seawater quality around the clock. He pointed out that following an incident targeting a fuel tank in the industrial area, necessary measures were taken to ensure the environment is free of any pollution.
He clarified that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change operates within a precise environmental monitoring system, ensuring the safety of the marine environment and air, and enhancing public health protection.
Concerning traveler movement, the Minister confirmed that the state implemented tight plans to secure the return of stranded citizens and residents abroad through various ports, including the Abu Samra land border crossing.
Stranded nationals of other countries and travelers inside the state were also facilitated to depart via Hamad International Airport, exceeding 7,000 passengers, through limited evacuation flights via temporary air corridors, in coordination with competent authorities.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the National Alert System, activated during this period, explaining that it is one of the most prominent tools developed in recent years and trained on during Watani exercises.
He clarified that the system is used to deliver instructions and guidance to the public at the appropriate time and take necessary preventive measures. Although its sound may be annoying to some, its primary goal is to protect society and enhance awareness of required procedures.
Regarding the remote work system, His Excellency the Minister affirmed that the situation will continue as it is currently, with continuous monitoring of developments, noting that competent authorities will inform the public of any updates through official channels at the time.
In concluding the interview, His Excellency the Minister of Interior praised the efforts made by various state entities, including the Ministry of Defense, health, and service sectors, affirming that what has been achieved is the result of the state’s investment in its human cadres.
He also extended special greetings to citizens and residents, commending their awareness and commitment to instructions, describing them as essential partners in protecting the homeland. He stressed that this cooperation is not unfamiliar to Qatari society, which has proven in various crises that it stands as one rank with its leadership, forming a safety valve for the country.
The Minister concluded his remarks by affirming that competent authorities will continue monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures to protect the state, praying to Allah to preserve Qatar, its Amir, its people, and everyone residing on its soil, and to perpetuate upon it the blessing of security and safety.
