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Qatar intercepts missile attack — armed forces confirm interception, blasts heard in Doha by AFP journalist
·Doha, Qatar
Qatar's defence ministry confirmed its armed forces intercepted a missile attack in the early hours of Wednesday, March 18. An AFP journalist in Doha heard several blasts as Qatar's air defense systems engaged the incoming missiles. Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East — Al Udeid Air Base — which houses the CENTCOM forward headquarters and over 10,000 US personnel.
Qatar's defence ministry issued a statement on March 18 confirming: 'Armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar.' The statement was released shortly after an AFP journalist in the capital Doha heard several blasts — the sound of air defense intercept detonations.
Qatar has been targeted by Iranian missiles throughout the conflict due to its hosting of Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East. CENTCOM's forward headquarters is located at Al Udeid, which supports both the campaign against Iran and broader US operations across the region.
This is the latest in a series of Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states that host US military forces. Previous Iranian strikes have targeted Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Qatar's interception of this latest wave marks continued Gulf-wide air defense operations against Iran's sustained campaign against US-aligned regional hosts.
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Actor responses
IRGC continues targeting Gulf states hosting US military forces. Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base is a primary CENTCOM hub supporting the campaign against Iran.
CENTCOM monitoring Qatar missile intercept. Al Udeid Air Base operations continuing. Qatar air defense systems successfully engaged incoming missiles.
Sources