Yesterday, Monday, March 2, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement highlighting that the Air Force had shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft. The action was confirmed by the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) within the framework of the third day of combat operations linked to the conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to the Ministry of Defense, in addition to the two Su-24s, seven ballistic missiles were also intercepted using air defense systems, as well as five drones which, according to the statement, were targeting different areas of the country. The ministry specified that the drones were shot down by the QEAF and by the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, in coordination with other competent authorities.
The official statement noted that “the threat was addressed immediately upon detection, in accordance with the operational plan, and all missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets,” referring to the ballistic projectiles. The Ministry also stated that Qatar’s Armed Forces possess “full capabilities and resources to safeguard the sovereignty and territory of the State, and to respond firmly to any external threat,” and urged the population to remain calm and follow only information released through official channels.
Regarding the attacks recorded during the day, the Ministry previously reported that two drones struck a power plant in Mesaieed and an energy facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, although no official damage assessments have been provided so far. Authorities did not detail the reasons why the Iranian Su-24 aircraft were heading toward Qatari airspace, nor did they offer additional information regarding their specific mission.
It was also not specified which means were used to shoot down the Su-24s, the ballistic missiles, and the drones. The use of air defense systems was explicitly mentioned in the case of the missiles, leaving open the possibility that combat aircraft participated in intercepting the Iranian jets.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) currently operates F-15QA Ababil fighters, Eurofighter Typhoons, and Dassault Rafales, in addition to surface-to-air missile systems such as Patriot and NASAMS. In the context of recent operations, it was also reported that an RAF Typhoon FGR4 deployed in Qatar as part of the UK-Qatar Joint No. 12 Squadron shot down an Iranian drone on March 1 that was heading toward Qatari territory, in a separate but related action within the regional escalation.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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