After a video of two American soldiers laughing in front of Qatar's flag was posted online, the Qatari foreign ministry " summoned the American ambassador" to explain the content being circulated.
The U.S. ambassador, Dana Shell Smith, has since apologized to Qatar with a tweet assuring the nation and its people the two soldiers were laughing at themselves and not mocking the country.
I have apologized to the Qatari government and have ordered the US military command to investigate the incident and take disciplinary measures.
Dedicated fans, rest assured that these soldiers were making fun of themselves and not the state.
Insulting the national flag is a serious offense in Qatar. Home to the largest U.S. air base in the Middle East, Qatar's Al Udeid hosts 10,000 military personnel.
A spokeswoman with U.S. Central Command said that military officials are aware of the incident and "sincerely regret any offense" that may have followed, according to the Washington Post .
"We have great respect for the State of Qatar and its people and the overwhelmingly positive friendship we share with our Qatari partners," said the spokeswoman, Air Force Capt. Michele M. Rollins. "We hold members of the U.S. military to the highest standards of personal conduct and will take appropriate action."
Many have been posting their thoughts on the incident online with some defending the two soldiers in the video, while others are expressing their frustration.
This isn't the first time military personnel have offended a Gulf nation.
Earlier this year, a Bahrain-based U.S. Navy commander Lt. Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley was removed from command off a Bahrain-based ship after investigators revealed that he was intoxicated in Dubai's Jebel Ali, where he fell asleep on an outdoor bench. This was not taken lightly as public intoxication is a criminal offense in the United Arab Emirates.