Islamic State Threatens to Attack Qatar FIFA World Cup Event
DOHA: The banned outfit Islamic State (IS) has announced to target the FIFA Football World Cup event slated held in Qatar in next week.
The militant organization has alleged announced to specifically target the national teams of countries involved in the global coalition of nations conducting military operations against IS, among other teams participating in the mage event.
The announcement of the terror attack has been made via social media messaging app ‘Telegram’, which the militant organization often uses the cryptic code wordings to forward and publicize their terror acts. These messages are like “Cleansing campaigns are ongoing. Be part of the World Cup in Qatar and score your goals. The goal is open.”
It is also alleged that the target audience of the IS militants are not limited to the national teams of coalition of countries fighting against IS in Syria and Iraq and other teams but the IS militants may also target fans and gatherings watching the match in the stadium.
Spanish media outlets, including ‘Marca and La Razon’, are presently displaying the IS execution of violent terror acts against a number of teams.
In the Telegram messages, the IS has shown major graphic models. The first one indicates that the IS will target countries of global coalition fighting the organization. The second graphic indicates that the IS may target national teams participating in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Security Measures of Qatar
To ensure a smooth World Cup, Qatar has clinched agreements with numerous countries for security cooperation. During the football competition, which takes place from November 20 to December 18, more than 1.2 million fans are expected to visit Qatar.
In order to ensure security during the World Cup, Qatar has trained more than 50,000 individuals. Foreign forces will also assist Qatari to ensure security, the interior ministry spokesperson Jabr Hammoud Jabr Al Nuaimi said.
Al Nuaimi said that “The participation of forces from friendly countries with specialized skills will constitute a real addition to the security forces of the tournament … and these forces will work under a unified Qatari leadership.”
Pakistan Army to Secure FIFA World Cup Qatar
In August, Pakistan on the request of Qatar agreed to send army personnel to Qatar to provide security during the mega event.
Pakistan has sent almost 4,500 troops to Qatar to assist the host country in the provision of security for the Football World Cup mega event.
Pakistan is the only foreign country to send foot soldiers to Doha. According to Middle East Eye, a senior Pakistan Army officer told The Telegraph that “personnel will be deployed inside and outside venues in the way deemed fit by the Qatar authorities”.
The Pakistan Army personnel will also provide security to football teams at their hotels.
Friendly Countries Forces
After winning the right to host the World Cup in 2010, Qatar in 2014 made military services mandatory for its all male nationals between the ages of 18 and 35.
However, due to a lack of personnel of Qatar military and police, Qatar has to seek help of other nations whose security services had expertise handling stadium security lines and crowds as well as spotting alcohol, drugs, and weapons.
Turkey will also send 3,000 riot police officers to help control the water and skies during the World Cup, while Britain will send the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel.
Additionally, Qatar and the US Department of Defense have an agreement in place to work together on “technical arrangements” during the football event.
France agreed to ensure deployment of about 220 security personnel to secure fans and French nationals, while Morocco has agreed to deploy cyber security experts for the event.
