Qatar says air defenses intercept missile attack over Doha

DOHA — Qatar’s Defense Ministry reported a missile attack on Thursday as escalation continued across the region in the wake of a US-Israeli attack on Iran.A ministry statement said that the country had been subjected to a missile attack and that air defense systems were responding to the incoming missiles.Doha has been targeted by waves of Iranian drones and missiles since Iran launched a sprawling retaliation campaign across the Gulf in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks against Iran.Smoke was seen rising on the Doha horizon on Thursday, an AFP reporter said, after loud explosions shook the Qatari capital.Qatar’s defense ministry said on Thursday its military was working to intercept an incoming missile attack as loud blasts reverberated across Doha and smoke was seen over the city.“The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that State of Qatar has been subjected to a missile attack,” it said in a statement. “Air Defense systems are intercepting the missile attack,” it added.There were no immediate reports of casualties.The ministry urged citizens, residents and visitors “to remain calm, adhere to official instructions issued by security authorities and avoid rumors.”Authorities in Doha evacuated residents living in buildings near the US Embassy on Thursday as a precautionary measure.The evacuation was ordered by Qatar’s Interior Ministry, which said residents of nearby residential buildings were temporarily relocated to safer locations while authorities assess the security situation.Officials emphasized that the evacuation is purely preventive and that alternative accommodation had been arranged for those affected by the order. — AgenciesDOHA — Qatar’s Defense Ministry reported a missile attack on Thursday as escalation continued across the region in the wake of a US-Israeli attack on Iran.A ministry statement said that the country had been subjected to a missile attack and that air defense systems were responding to the incoming missiles.Doha has been targeted by waves of Iranian drones and missiles since Iran launched a sprawling retaliation campaign across the Gulf in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks against Iran.Smoke was seen rising on the Doha horizon on Thursday, an AFP reporter said, after loud explosions shook the Qatari capital.Qatar’s defense ministry said on Thursday its military was working to intercept an incoming missile attack as loud blasts reverberated across Doha and smoke was seen over the city.“The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that State of Qatar has been subjected to a missile attack,” it said in a statement. “Air Defense systems are intercepting the missile attack,” it added.There were no immediate reports of casualties.The ministry urged citizens, residents and visitors “to remain calm, adhere to official instructions issued by security authorities and avoid rumors.”Authorities in Doha evacuated residents living in buildings near the US Embassy on Thursday as a precautionary measure.The evacuation was ordered by Qatar’s Interior Ministry, which said residents of nearby residential buildings were temporarily relocated to safer locations while authorities assess the security situation.Officials emphasized that the evacuation is purely preventive and that alternative accommodation had been arranged for those affected by the order. — Agencies