Editing Qatar Armed Forces (section)

==History==
The armed forces were founded in 1971 after the country gained independence from the United Kingdom.

With a personnel strength of 11,800, Qatar's armed forces are the second-smallest in the Middle East. France has provided approximately 80% of Qatar's arms inventory. 
Qatar took part in the [[Gulf War]] of 1991, with a battalion at the [[Battle of Khafji]].<ref>''Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948-1991'', University of Nebraska Press, 2002, {{ISBN|0-8032-3733-2}}</ref> It also hosted the U.S. [[614th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]<ref>[http://www.lucky-devils.net/ The Gulf War with the 401TFW/614TFS Lucky Devils] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122092921/http://www.lucky-devils.net/ |date=November 22, 2014 }}. Lucky-devils.net. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.</ref> and the Canadian Air Task Group with 26 CF-18s both at Doha.

Since the Gulf War, Qatar has pursued a limited program of force modernization. Qatar has spent $12 billion to buy [[MIM-104 Patriot]] [[surface to air missile]]s. In July 2008, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency announced Qatar's official request for logistics support, training, and associated equipment and services. The total value of the support arrangements could be as high as $400 million.

In March 2011, Qatar announced the participation of its Air Force in the enforcement of the [[Libyan no-fly zone]].<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/qatar-premier-defends-military-participation-1.780653 Qatar premier defends military participation]. gulfnews.com (2011-03-22). Retrieved on 2013-09-26.</ref>

=== Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen ===
{{See also|Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen}}
According to [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Aljazeera]] news, in December 2016, Qatar deployed 1,000 ground troops in Yemen to fight on behalf of the ousted president [[Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi]]. Qatari soldiers, backed by 200 armoured vehicles and 30 Apache helicopters, headed to Yemen's Marib province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/qatar-deploys-1000-ground-troops-fight-yemen-150907043020594.html|title=Qatar deploys 1,000 ground troops to fight in Yemen|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref>

The Armed Forces of Qatar have suffered 4 killed and 2 wounded during their deployment in Yemen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dohanews.co/three-qatari-soldiers-killed-yemen/|title=Three Qatar soldiers killed in Yemen|access-date=2017-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035006/https://dohanews.co/three-qatari-soldiers-killed-yemen/|archive-date=2017-10-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Humanitarian Aid ===
'''Gaza'''

Following the start of Israeli military operations in the enclave after the [[October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel]], a significant number of Palestinians in Gaza, estimated at 2.2 million, are now confronted with the imminent risk of famine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar - Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) {{!}} Defense Security Cooperation Agency |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/qatar-terminal-high-altitude-area-defense-thaad |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.dsca.mil}}</ref> The Qatari Armed Forces have played a significant role in offering assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza. Thus far, a grand total of 91 aircraft have been dispatched, each laden with numerous tons of much-needed assistance. In a significant development, on April 8, 2024, they accomplished the successful evacuation of the 22nd group of injured Palestinians, marking a significant milestone since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gulf States Requesting ABM-Capable Systems - Defense Industry Daily |url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/gulf-states-requesting-abm-capable-systems-04390/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2013-04-21 |title=Qatari Army orders tanks and artillery systems from KMW |url=https://www.army-technology.com/news/newsqatari-army-orders-tanks-and-artillery-systems-from-kmw/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Army Technology |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Afghanistan'''

On May 16, 2024, a Qatar Armed Forces aircraft delivered 42 tons of food and shelter from the [[Qatar Red Crescent Society]] and [[Qatar Charity]] to Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.Qatar Charity (QC) also sent three aircraft delivering sixty tons of relief goods to Balkh flood victims via the Qatar Emiri Air Force airlift. Additionally, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) will build 10 health centers in Afghanistan to serve hundreds of thousands of women and children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newspaper |first=The Peninsula |date=2024-04-08 |title=Qatari aid plane for Palestinians arrives in Egypt, evacuates wounded to Doha |url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/04/2024/qatari-aid-plane-for-palestinians-arrives-in-egypt-evacuates-wounded-to-doha |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=thepeninsulaqatar.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-19 |title=Qatar Charity's delegation delivers relief aid to Afghanistan flood victims - Afghanistan {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/qatar-charitys-delegation-delivers-relief-aid-afghanistan-flood-victims |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref>

'''Sudan'''

On August 14, 2024, two Qatari Armed Forces aircraft arrived at Port Sudan Airport, delivering 27 tons of relief aid and shelter supplies to support flood victims in Sudan. The aid was provided by the [[Qatar Fund for Development]] (QFFD), [[Qatar Charity]], and the [[Qatar Red Crescent Society]]. This is part of Qatar's ongoing humanitarian air bridge to Sudan, initiated in May 2023 in response to the country's ongoing conflict and natural disasters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qarjouli |first=Asmahan |date=2024-08-15 |title=Qatar sends flood relief to Sudan and Yemen |url=https://dohanews.co/qatar-sends-flood-relief-to-sudan-yemen/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}</ref>