By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The Embassy of Ghana in Doha issued an emergency security advisory on Saturday, February 28, 2026, ordering its citizens to seek immediate cover following a series of missile strikes that shook the Qatari capital. The directive marks a significant escalation in diplomatic urgency as the Middle East grapples with the fallout of a massive military confrontation.
The embassy’s alert, released in the early afternoon, followed a morning defined by the thunderous booms of high-altitude interceptions. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that its air defense systems successfully neutralized two distinct waves of attacks. Beyond the immediate panic in the city center, debris from these projectiles fell near the outskirts of Doha, forcing diplomatic missions to pivot toward an emergency footing.
Ghana Mission Demands Immediate Vigilance
In a direct communique to the Ghanaian community, the mission emphasized the need for absolute caution, shifting from general awareness to a mandatory “shelter-in-place” stance. The advisory made it clear that the safety of the thousands of Ghanaian expatriates in the peninsula must now take precedence over all daily activities.
“Due to missile attack and its impact in Doha, please take shelter until further notice, obtain information from official sources,” the notice stated.
The embassy further urged Ghanaians to stay away from military sites, remain indoors, avoid crowded areas and minimize exposure to potential danger. This high-level warning coincided with the emergency evacuation of several international institutions, including the American School of Doha, as civilian corridors increasingly overlap with potential collateral zones.
A Region on the Brink
The strikes in Doha are not isolated incidents but part of a wider, violent exchange that began with joint military operations earlier this morning. Military analysts report that the projectiles were retaliatory salvos launched following “Operation Shield of Judah,” a coordinated strike by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting strategic infrastructure in Tehran and other Iranian hubs. The White House confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized “major combat operations” to dismantle regional missile capabilities. While the Qatari Ministry of Defense has worked to reassure the public that its air defense systems remain functional and the situation is “under control,” the Ghanaian mission’s directive suggests a more precarious reality. The activation of defense batteries over the Doha skyline has transformed the city from a neutral diplomatic hub into a central actor in a spiraling regional war, with similar strikes reported in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City.
Preparedness and Precautionary Measures
The mission has instructed its nationals to prepare for a period of severely restricted movement. Throughout the city, the atmosphere has shifted from weekend leisure to survivalist urgency, with reports of expatriates rushing to secure basic necessities as the embassy formalizes its safety protocols.
Citizens were also encouraged to keep essential supplies, including medication and food, readily available. The mission’s emphasis on “official sources” serves as a direct counter-measure to the wave of misinformation currently flooding digital platforms, which embassy officials fear could lead to panic or misplaced movement. Local authorities have utilized the mobile Early-Warning System to broadcast instructions directly to residents’ devices, reinforcing the embassy’s call for order.
Assessing the Security Perimeter
The Ghana Embassy has underscored that the current environment requires a total avoidance of high-risk areas. This specifically includes the Al Udeid Air Base—a critical forward headquarters for foreign forces—which has become a focal point of regional tensions and a primary target for retaliatory strikes.
As of Saturday afternoon, the embassy has reported no casualties among its nationals, but the mission remains on the highest state of alert. Although Hamad International Airport saw dozens of flights diverted or cancelled earlier today, Qatari officials have begun a phased reopening of airspace as the immediate threat levels are re-evaluated. For now, the Ghanaian community, like much of the world, waits to see if diplomacy can overtake the momentum of the missiles.
