Doha, Sunday 10 Nov 2024

Fourth edition of the WATAN EXERCISE to take off from  10-13 November 2024, recently announced at a press conference by Staff Brig. Mubarak Shraida Al Kaabi, Chairman of  Permanent Joint Exercises Committee and General Supervisor of Watan 2024.

He said that over 70 military, security, and civil entities, as well as security forces from the Republic of Italy will be participatimg in four days drill.

Brig. AlKaabi said that under the  guidance of the wise leadership,  the exercise aims to enhance the coordination and integration of efforts among the state’s military, security, and civil entities.

'It promotes operational synergy and effective execution of joint tasks to efficiently address potential risks in both normal and emergency situations, thereby ensuring security and public safety., Al Kaabi added

He said that this year’s exercise includes over 55 scenarios and training simulations covering various risks and challenges, developed through strategic studies and plans by a team of experts.

Capt. Mohammed Ahmed Jaber Abdullah, Commander of the Command and Control Cell and Head of Scenario Planning and Management for Watan 2024, presented the exercise’s timeline, which consists of six stages: the Preliminary Phase; Readiness Phase; Preparation Phase; Office-based Execution Phase; Field-based Execution Phase; and Concluding Phase.

He further added that these phases will take place across multiple locations within the state, including land, sea, and air entry points, key military and service installations, tourist sites, operations centers, residential areas, main roads, and shopping centers, along with other designated areas.

Present st the panel, Engineer Mohammed Ahmed Al Dahi, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and representative of the participating civil sectors, highlighted that the involvement of various civil sectors in Watan 2024 is a strategic step to assess and test operational and emergency plans, as well as to enhance and update effective response procedures.

Col. Fausto Antonio Ricchetti, Defense Attache at the Italian embassy in Qatar shared with www.asiantelegraphqatar.com on the occasion that Italy's participation in the 4th Watan Exercise highlights the strong partnership between Lekhwiya (Qatar Internal Security Force - IFS) and the Carabinieri (Italian Security Force founded in July 1814), sole Military Police Force, which has been in place for nearly a decade. This year, the Ministry of Interior of Qatar has held several meetings with the General Commander of the Carabinieri to further strengthen this cooperation.

Italian Defense Attache said that a total of 40 Carabinieri, including members from the Special Forces, Paratrooper Regiment, and Mobile Brigade, will take part in the exercise. They will be involved in tasks such as public order and security, crowd control, explosive detection and disposal, hostage rescue, and search and rescue operations.