On Sunday, Qatar’s Defense Ministry announced that the WMD Defense Unit had conducted a security check on the 2022 World Cup stadiums.
The unit, together with forces from other countries, which it has called “friend and brother,” conducted a security check of chemical and radioactive materials at the Al-Bayt and 974 Stadiums, the statement said. “Ministry of Defense of Qatar” on Twitter.
The ministry released photographs of “security screening” procedures that featured elements, including soldiers dressed in “Turkish Army” uniforms.
The measure is part of Qatar’s Ministry of Defense preparations to secure the World Cup and, according to the Qatar Ministry of Defense, “the latest technology and advanced equipment is being used to ensure stadiums are free of any chemicals.”
The tournament starts on November 20 and will last until December 18.
Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup.
Last November, Qatar’s interior ministry said more than 50,000 people received security control training during the World Cup in accordance with International Federation of the Game (FIFA) standards and with the help of international security forces under the Qatari leadership.
Ministry spokesman Jabr Hammoud Jabr al-Nuaimi did not name the countries participating in the troops at the time.
He added that “the participation of forces from friendly countries with special skills will be a real addition to the security forces at the tournament. These forces will work under the auspices of a unified Qatari leadership.”
According to Reuters, Turkey is providing 3,000 riot police and says they work under Turkish command.