According to a report from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) discussing an alleged leaked document, the Emir of Qatar's office purportedly requested that $15 million be sent to terrorist organizations in Mali.
The document, dated Nov. 29 and marked “Secret and Urgent," was reportedly sent by Qatar's then-economic minister Youssef Hussein Kamal to the Emir's office.
The MEMRI translation quoted the letter as saying, “I wish to refer to your Excellency’s letter (da-49-2011) of April 4, 2011, which includes the esteemed directions from His Highness, the Emir of the country, regarding sending urgent monetary support to the Islamic opposition movements in northern Mali and to the organization of the Sahel and to the Sahara in the amount of U.S. $15 million. This sum must be distributed with the knowledge of the state security service, represented by Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Nue'eimi, under the section of humanitarian support.”
The communication went on to state "I wish to inform Your Excellency that in the implementation of the esteemed directives, the sum of the support in cash, in the amount of U.S. $15 million, was delivered to the state security service represented by Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Nue'eimi."
Qatar has in the past been accused by many Western nations of allowing terrorist leaders and their financers to live freely in the Persian Gulf nation. This arrangement has been subject to recent scrutiny as much of the Hamas leadership, including their leader Ismail Haniyeh, have been living in Doha since 2012.
Other nefarious actors that have been known to have received Qatari sanctuary include Al Qaeda's Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Khalifa Muhammad Turki al-Subaiy, and Abd al-Rahman bin Umayr al-Nuaymi.
Despite the questionable actions by Qatar, the United States maintains a defense relationship with the Kingdom, including the stationing of U.S. military personnel within their borders. In 2022, the Biden administration designated the country a major non-NATO-ally.
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