Khaberni - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Higseth announced on Friday that Qatar would be permitted to build a facility for its air force at Mountain Home Base in Idaho, which will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets along with their pilots.
This announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in which he pledged to provide security guarantees to Qatar, following the Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas leaders in September in the capital, Doha.
Higseth stated at the Pentagon, alongside Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, "We are signing a letter of acceptance for the construction of a facility for the Qatari Emiri Air Force at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho."
He added, "The site will host a group of Qatari F-15 jets and pilots to enhance our joint training," in addition to "increasing combat capability and operational compatibility."
He continued, "This is another example of our partnership," and added, addressing the Qatari defense minister, "I hope you know that you can rely on us."
The Idaho base currently hosts a squadron of fighter jets from Singapore, according to its website.
Higseth also thanked Qatar for its "crucial role" as a mediator in the negotiations that led to a truce and a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, and its help in securing the release of an American citizen from Afghanistan.
The Qatari minister praised the "strong and enduring partnership" and "the close defense relationship" between the two countries.
Qatar is a key ally for Washington and hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. Its leadership has close relations with Trump, and it gifted him a Boeing 747 for use as a presidential aircraft.
