The Afghan Ministry of Defense on Saturday welcomed Qatar and the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) offer of support to the Resolute Support Mission (RS) and said the move could help end the war and bring peace.  

However, exact details around the type of support offered has still not be clarified.

Defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said Qatar and the UAE can play a significant role in Afghanistan’s war and in its efforts for peace.

“Any country that takes part in this war and helps us and our forces, we appreciate them,” said Waziri. 

Members of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) also said Qatar and the United Arab Emirates’ interests in supporting Afghanistan is a good move and could have a positive impact on the fight against insurgency.  

“These countries are Islamic countries. The Fatwas that were issued against the Afghan government by Punjabi’s won’t work anymore,” MP Obaidullah Barekzai said. 

A number of former military officers however said the move by Arab countries to offer support to the Afghan government in the fight against terrorism was a sign of their policy shift against countries that support insurgent groups, especially Pakistan. 

“Saudi and Qatar have been good partners to Pakistan. Now they are turning their back on Pakistan and working with Afghanistan and this is a sign of change in their politics,” former military officer Tahir Yarghal said. 

Earlier this month NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the NATO defense ministers summit in Brussels that Qatar and UAE had offered their support to RS in Afghanistan. He did not however give details as to what this support would involve.