Qatar activates air defenses to intercept missile attack amid regional escalation

2026-03-05 - 10:12

Qatar activated its air defense systems Thursday to intercept a missile attack on the country, the Defense Ministry announced, marking the latest Gulf state to come under fire amid the expanding regional conflict. A ministry statement confirmed that Qatar had been subjected to a missile attack and that air defense systems were actively responding to the incoming projectiles, urging citizens, residents and visitors "to remain calm, adhere to official instructions issued by security authorities and avoid rumors." Explosions over Doha Doha-based Al Jazeera channel reported that strong explosions were heard in the skies over the Qatari capital as defense systems engaged the incoming threats. There were no immediate reports of casualties or details on the source of the missiles, though Iran has been conducting retaliatory strikes against Gulf countries hosting US military assets since the US-Israeli offensive began Saturday. Regional conflict widens Thursday's attack on Qatar follows similar incidents across the Gulf region. The UAE has reported intercepting hundreds of Iranian projectiles and faced over 1,000 attacks since the escalation began. Kuwait's armed forces have been continuously engaged in intercepting waves of missiles and drones, while the CIA station within the US Embassy in Riyadh was struck by drones, causing structural damage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to maritime traffic, crippling oil exports and sending energy prices soaring. Continuing US-Israeli campaign The interceptions came as Israel and the US continue their large-scale offensive on Iran, now in its sixth day. The campaign has killed at least 926 people, according to Iranian Health Ministry figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior military commanders. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US assets, drawing regional states deeper into a conflict they have sought to avoid.