Five Arab countries cut relations with Qatar on charges of supporting terrorism

Five Arab countries cut relations with Qatar on charges of supporting terrorism


Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on Monday and accused them of supporting "terrorism" in the worst crack in the region in years and some of the strongest parties in the Arab world.
Mohammed al-Dairi, the foreign minister of the government of eastern Libya, said on Monday that the government followed regional allies and decided to cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar.
Iran, Saudi Arabia's long-standing foe and behind-the-scenes target, has blamed US President Donald Trump for leading the decision during his recent visit to Riyadh. Egypt and Gulf Arab states have already condemned Qatar's support for Islamists, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the source of hostility. The move, which has been largely coordinated by the Arab countries, including OPEC member states, has greatly accelerated the dispute. The three Gulf states announced closing their airspace with Qatar and gave Qatari visitors and residents 14 days to leave. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen also ended Qatar's participation. Saudi Arabia has accused Qatar of backing militant groups and spreading the ideas of violence, apparently referring to Qatar-owned Al Jazeera.
A statement quoted by Qatar News Agency (QNA) accused Qatar of "harboring various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilizing the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Daash and al-Qaeda, and promoting the literature and plans of these groups through their media permanently." The statement also accused Qatar of supporting "Iranian-backed terrorist groups" in Qatif in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom and in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Qatar said it was campaigning to harm it and denied interfering in other countries' affairs. "The State of Qatar has been subjected to an incitement campaign based on fabrications that have reached the level of complete fabrication, indicating a deliberate intent to harm the state," a foreign ministry statement said.
Al-Jazeera television said Qatar's foreign ministry expressed its regret over the decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar for accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. "The proceedings are unjustified and based on baseless allegations and allegations," the ministry quoted the ministry as saying. "These measures will not affect the normal course of life of citizens and residents."
"What happened was the initial result of the sword dance," Hamid Abu Talabi, political affairs assistant to Iranian President Hassan Rowhani's office, wrote in a clear reference to Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Trump and US officials took part in a sword dance during the visit last month. Trump spoke of Iran as a major source of funding and support for militant groups.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters in Sydney on Monday that the resolution would not affect the fight against militant Islamists and that Washington had urged its Gulf allies to resolve their differences.
The dispute between Doha and its close allies may have repercussions across the Middle East. The measures are tougher than other measures taken during an eight-month rift in 2014 when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates withdrew their ambassadors from Doha. But the atmosphere did not close then and the Qataris were not expelled. Diplomatic action threatens Qatar, which hosts a large US military base and the World Cup in 2022. Qatar has been a mediator for years and a player in many conflicts in the region. Christian Ulrichsen, a Gulf affairs expert at the Washington-based Baker Institute, said closing Qatar's land borders and airspace for any period of time would "disrupt the timetable" of the World Cup. "The Saudis and the Emiratis seem to feel strong to reconcile their regional interests, Iran and Islamic extremism, with the Trump administration." They decided to deal in an alternative way with Qatar, assuming they would be supported by the Trump administration. "Qatar used its media and political influence to support Islamists during the Arab Spring uprisings. 2011.

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