Trump signs Qatar weapons deal despite terrorism claims

Qatar has signed a deal to buy $12bn worth of F15 fighter jets from the US, despite President Donald Trump’s claims that the state has been funding terrorist organisations.

The Middle-Eastern country has been hit with an embargo by several of its Gulf neighbours, which has continued into its second week after Saudi Arabia and its allies in the region accused Qatar of supporting the groups.

Despite a neutral stance being maintained by secretary of state Rex Tillerson and defence secretary James Mattis, Trump has contradicted that by also accusing Qatar of being a “high-level” funder of terrorism.

The sale of the 36 military airplanes was finalised on Thursday, with Mattis and Qatari counterpart Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah signing off on the previously-approved deal.

The Middle-Eastern country has been hit with an embargo by several of its Gulf neighbours

Qatar contains the the biggest US air base in the Middle East, with around 10,000 troops residing at Al-Udeid.

Trump’s comments last week broke the tone espoused by Tillerson and Mattis in recent weeks in relation to the Gulf fallout.

“The nation of Qatar has unfortunately been a funder of terrorism, and at a very high level,” Trump said. “The time has come to call on Qatar to end its funding.”

The Pentagon told Reuters in a statement that the agreement to purchase the F15 jets would pave the way for further cooperation between the two states in terms of security and military operations.