The exercise at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium at Al Rayyan Sports Club saw the participation of 28 security, military, organisational and services entities from 13 countries as part of the readiness and preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, local Arabic daily 'Arrayah' reported.
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This exercise was considered the largest of its kind in the country regarding the number of participating entities, locally and from abroad, in addition to the development of its scenarios combining the military, security, organisational and services aspects. Besides, it tackled various types of potential escalating risks and hazards at the World Cup events after being studied carefully by a number of experts and specialists in the field.
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Staff Lt Col Mohamed al-Hail, Assistant Commander of the operations, said the exercise has directly contributed to participated in raising the level of the readiness and skills of the participating entities and integration between them. He further pointed out that the aims of this exercise included enhancing the close co-operation with the participating brotherly and friendly countries. The exercise involved the exchange of experiences and expertise in the fields of planning, management, command, control and the implementation and planning of the operations of the participating forces.
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The commander of emergency at the German Civil Protection has also appreciated the efforts exerted at the exercise and considered it an excellent opportunity for the exchange of related experiences. He stressed that the Qatari side has been exerting serious efforts to secure the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Captain Salem al-Kuwari, assistant commander of the sports facilities at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, stressed that the exercises has enhanced the capabilities of the participating entities' readiness for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, especially regarding the quick response for emergencies.
Colonel Stephane Lacroix, internal security attache at the French Embassy in Qatar, further stressed the importance of the exercise in the exchange of experience, enhancing strengths and addressing the points of weakness. Regarding the conclusion of the exercise, Staff Lt Col Nasser al-Kuwari, from Qatar's Internal Security Forces (Lekhwiya), said that the final day of Watan exercise addressed various hypothetical scenarios such as hijacking of a passenger aircraft at Hamad International Airport and the detention of hostages, the change of the planned route of a bus carrying the players of a participating team, and some fans breaking into riots with pushing near the gates. He added that the participating entities have tackled all such scenarios with high professionalism and efficiency.
