African Union Chair Condemns Israeli Strike on Qatar, Urges Restraint
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 10, 2025The African Union has joined the growing chorus of international condemnation following Israel’s airstrike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, which targeted a residential building reportedly housing Hamas officials. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned that the Israeli attack “risks endangering an already fragile situation in the Middle East.” Youssouf called for “restraint, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of civilians,” echoing longstanding AU principles on peace and conflict resolution. “Qatar has played a longstanding role in peace, mediation, and diplomacy,” he said, highlighting the Gulf nation’s role in facilitating ceasefire talks and regional dialogue. The AU chair emphasized the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. The statement comes a day after the Qatari government denounced the strike as a “cowardly attack” and a “blatant violation of international law.” The incident marks the first known Israeli military operation on Qatari territory, raising concerns over further escalation in the broader Middle East conflict.