Eventually, it turns out that the bilateral defense agreement that Turkey signed with Qatar, for the presence of its fighter jets at Turkish air bases (these are rafale and mirage), provides that they will be able to participate in military operations on the Turkish side.
The chiefs of the two staffs
The agreement was signed by the Chiefs of General Staff of the two countries, Generals Yaşar Güler and Ganim bin Şahin el Ganim, on March 2, 2021, and is based on the agreement signed by the two countries on May 23, 2007 on "Military cooperation in the field of Education , as well as Technical and Scientific Cooperation ".
According to the Turkish newspaper cumhuriyet, Qatari fighter jets are coming to Turkey.
The international agreement accepted by the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee allowed 36 fighter jets and 250 Qatari soldiers to be stationed permanently in Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani (AA file photo)
If the agreement is accepted in Parliament, these personnel and fighter jets will be able to prepare to take part in a war that will break out on the Turkish border.
Facilities
With the bilateral agreement accepted in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, 36 aircraft and 250 military personnel belonging to Qatar can be deployed in the areas designated by the General Staff.
By the same token, Qatari Air Force aircraft will be able to fly in Turkish airspace and Turkish airports will be opened to Qatari aircraft.
A separate flight number will be assigned to these aircraft and it will be ensured that they can be distinguished from Turkish Air Force aircraft.
Under the agreement, all activities of Qatari military aircraft will be subject to the pre-approval of the Turkish General Staff.
These Qatari aircraft and military personnel will be able to conduct training flights to prepare for war inside Turkey. For this purpose, the flights will be coordinated by the commander of the air base where the training will take place.
A work desk will be available
According to Hüseyin Şimşek from the Birgün newspaper, which first revealed the matter, Qatar should allow Turkey to use its planes under the agreement.
Generals Yaşar Güler of Turkey (right) and Ganim bin Şahin el Ganim of Qatar (AA archive photo)
Turkey will be able to transport military equipment, dangerous goods, ammunition and military personnel at home and abroad by Qatari planes.
Under the agreement, Turkey will also provide a job office for Qatari military personnel.
Facilities such as office space, hangars, aircraft parking, maintenance facilities, equipment, electricity and water will be provided free of charge to Qatari military personnel.
Objections from the opposition
Opposition lawmakers from the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee said the terms of the agreement were unclear.
CHP's Utku Çakırözer, who warned that a bilateral agreement could require a resolution by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, said:
"How the Turkish Air Force will contribute to the training of Qatari pilots is not well understood. Qatar has French fighter jets and European training aircraft.
For this reason, it is not yet understood what kind of training it will be. As you know, Qatar is a country that poses security risks in the region due to its policies.
Mr Utku Çakırözer
"Of course, the fact that our relations are good does not mean that there will be no such dangers for Turkey. The entry of 36 aircraft and 250 troops into Turkey is perhaps an issue that needs to be resolved through legislation.
"We should discuss it legally, maybe in Parliament, because somehow the armed forces of a foreign country will come to our homeland."
