Watch: #NowStronger - a timeline of a year of the illegal blockade of Qatar

June 5th, 2018 marks exactly a year since the start of the illegal siege of Qatar. Since that time, Qatar's determination and will to go on as an independent, sovereign nation persists and perseveres. 

Now, nearly a year since the blockade began, Qatar continues to hold its head high. Here is a chronological recap of some of the most significant events that occurred over the last twelve months.

JUNE 5TH 2017 - DECEMBER 4TH 2017

June 5

In an early morning announcement, Bahrain cuts its ties with Qatar. Soon after, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt too sever ties in that order. The GCC crisis officially begins. Qatar says there is no justification for the cutting of ties, but all such arguments fall on deaf ears. Soon, all four nations declare flights to and from Qatar will be stopped within a day. Trucks are not allowed to cross the Saudi Arabia-Qatar border. 

June 6

Qatar Airways suspends all flights to four blockading countries. As US President Donald Trump tweets out taking credit for the GCC Blockade, the Philippines bar its workers from travelling to the country. 

June 7

Turkish exporters say they are ready to step in and supply necessary food items for Qatar. Qatar brings home stranded passengers from Saudi Arabia via chartered flight. The Turkish Parliament passes special law to send troops to Qatar.

June 9

After blockading countries threaten its citizens with dire consequences for expressing sympathy with Qatar, Qataris are urged by the government to take the moral high road on social media.

June 11

Qatar declares it will not expel people from the countries illegally blocking them. But at the same time, they decide to hire international lawyers to take blockading countries to court. Qatar opens a direct maritime route to Oman’s Sohar Port, easing passage of food from around the world.

June 13

Qatar says any talks to shut down Al Jazeera are firmly off the table. US Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith announces that she will leave her position by the end of the month. 

June 14

Qatar Airways announce that none of its international routes have been affected by the blockade.

June 15

Qatar signs a mega $12bn deal with the USA for buying F-15 jets. A few hours later, two US Naval ships arrive in the country for joint exercises. Meanwhile, the Philippines lift the travel ban to Qatar it had placed on its citizens. Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee releases shocking report that more than 13,000 Qatari citizens have been affected by the illegal blockade. 

June 19

With the deadline for Qatari citizens to leave neighboring GCC countries arriving, hundreds return home. 

June 20

Qatar's Attorney General Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri says the hack of Qatar News Agency was carried out by a country involved in the siege of Qatar. 

June 21

HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani congratulates 31-year-old Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for being appointed as Saudi Arabia’s crown prince. On the same day, thousands of camels belonging to Qatari citizens are deported from Saudi Arabia and turned loose in the desert, leading to hundreds of them perishing. 

June 23

For the first time, the four blockading nations issue a set of 13 demands. 

June 24

Less than 24 hours after receiving a list of 13 demands, Qatar rejects it saying it is neither reasonable nor actionable. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson puts his weight behind Qatar’s cause, saying the demands on Qatar were very difficult to meet.

June 29

UAE’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum urges Qatar to return to the GCC fold by penning a poem. 

June 30

Qatar’s defence minister Khaled Al Attiyah says the illegal blockade on Qatar is a declaration of war.

July 1

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says a Press conference in Rome that the list of 13 demands ‘was meant to be rejected.’

July 3

Kuwait seeks an extension of 48 hours for Qatar to respond to Saudi-bloc demands and it is granted. 

July 8

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arrives in Qatar to try and diffuse the tensions in the region.

July 9

Qatar decides to form a committee to seek compensation for damages from the blockade.

July 11

American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Doha for talks to try and diffuse the situation. Qatar sign a landmark deal with the US to combat terrorism.

July 13

For the first time since the blockade began, UAE’s minister for the federal national council Noura Al Kaabi sought ‘fundamental change and restructuring’ of Al Jazeera rather than to shut it. She also says the Saudi-led group was ready to negotiate with Qatar.

July 17

The Washington Post publishes an explosive story which accuses the UAE of orchestrating the hack of Qatar News Agency, which directly led to the current ongoing crisis. On the same day, Egypt ended visa-free entry for Qatari citizens. 

July 19

Saudi-bloc of countries climb down from their 13 demands to ‘six broad principles’ Qatar need to follow in order for the blockade to be lifted. 

July 20

Qatar provides more hard evidence that the UAE was indeed behind the hacking of Qatar News Agency. 

July 21

HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issues a decree amending some provisions of a law on ‘combating terrorism.’ HH The Emir addresses the nation on TV for the first time since the crisis broke.

July 29

After several Qatari pilgrims face trouble in performing Hajj, Qatar accuses Saudi Arabia of politicising the Hajj.

July 31

Qatar goes on the offensive and lodge a formal complaint with the World Trade Organisation over the blockade. The National Human Rights Committee also sends a letter to the UN about the Hajj obstacles.

August 1

Following a UN-led meeting, Qatar Airways is likely to have access to three contingency routes over international waters in early August.

August 2

Qatar seals a mammoth $5.9bn deal for navy vessels from Italy, which is expected to significantly empower the Emiri Navy. 

August 3

Qatar decides to grant permanent residency status to expatriates, subject to them fulfilling some criteria. 

August 5

• * Qatar’s Ambassador to the US accuses siege nations of deliberately misleading the USA on roots of terrorism in order to shift the focus away from themselves.

• * Qatar decides to start negotiations with Turkey and Iran about opening up of new land trade routes that are also more economical.

• * The World Trade Organisation confirms that it has received Qatar’s complaint against three blockading Gulf countries.

August 7

• Bahrain eases airspace curbs on Qatar following a directive by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

August 8

• * More countries join Bahrain in opening up of air routes for Qatar following a directive from the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

• * American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sends two seasoned US envoys to ‘keep pressure on the ground’ and push peace talks to solve the Gulf crisis.

August 9

• * The two US envoys appointed to solve the Gulf say they will move away from Saudi-bloc’s 13 demands and focus on Tillerson formula instead.

• * Qatar announces that citizens belonging to 80 countries can now enter Qatar without applying for a visa in advance.

August 12

• Qatar announces that the illegal Gulf blockade has not stopped them from providing treatment to more than 10,000 people from the blockading nations.

August 15

• In an effort to beat the blockade, Qatar establishes new ‘fast and secure’ sea corridor for trade between Doha and Karachi.

August 16

• Qatar’s Foreign Minister says it will take quite some time for rebuilding trust between Gulf countries after the current crisis.

August 17

* Saudi Arabia’s King Salman orders Qatar’s border be re-opened for use by Hajj pilgrims from the country.

* Qatar Volleyball Association threatens legal action against GCC Volleyball Organising Committee following the cancellation of regional events.

August 18

• Qatar denies reports that it mediated in Saudi Arabia’s decision to lift Hajj ban on pilgrims from the country.

August 20

• Qatar file an official complaint with the ICAO over an animation video of a missile being fired on a Qatar Airways plane.

August 21

• In a big win for Qatar, an attempt by the siege nations’ to downgrade the NHRC has been thrown out.

* An influential Saudi Arabian official tweets his followers to expose Qatar sympathisers online and put them on a blacklist.

August 22

• Senegal, which recalled its ambassador from Qatar two days after the crisis broke, decide to send him back to Doha.

August 23

• Qatar trashes a fake report which appeared in Dubai TV which said there were rallies, clashes and curfews in Doha.

August 25

• * Qatar sends its ambassador back to Iran after almost 20 months.

• * Qatar retaliates Chad’s move to expel ambassadors by closing Chad’s embassy in Doha and giving diplomats 72 hours to leave.

August 26

* Turkey detains five people who are suspected of being involved in the hack of Qatar News Agency.

• * United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres tours the Gulf region to help resolve the ongoing crisis.

August 30

• Somalia reiterates its support for Qatar after refusing to bow to increasing pressure from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

August 31

• American President Donald Trump calls Saudi Arabia's King Salman and asks him to resolve the GCC crisis soon.

September 1

• * Kuwait’s Emir HH Sheikh Sabah travels to Washington DC to meet US President Donald Trump and talk about the ongoing GCC crisis.

• * Qatar's foreign minister says siege nations are putting the GCC at risk by attacking a fellow member.

September 3

* Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has said that the Gulf crisis is entirely fabricated.

September 5

* HH The Emir formally opens the pathbreaking Hamad Port for business.

* France appoints an envoy to mediate between Qatar and blockading nations.

September 6

* The video of a Qatari who was allegedly beaten and humiliated in Saudi Arabia went viral on social media.

September 7

* US President Donald Trump calls for ‘united GCC’ and offers to mediate the crisis ‘at White House’ if needed.

September 8

• In first official contact, Qatar’s Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani gets in touch with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

September 10

* Qatar announces it will grant ‘visa on arrival’ for Moroccans and Algerians.

September 11

* Noted newspaper New York Times reports that an ISIS statement on Qatar, carried by Saudi media, is a complete fake.

September 12

* An Art exhibit titled ‘100 days of blockade’ unveiled at the Doha Fire Station.

September 13

* HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim leaves Qatar for the first time since the crisis officially began on June 5. He met with Turkish president Erdogan.

September 17

• Work in Qatar nears completion on what is likely to eventually become the world’s biggest water reservoir.

• Qatar warns its citizens against visiting Egypt for fear of their own safety owing to security measures by Egyptian forces.

September 18

* Qatar launches a website named ‘Lift the Blockade’ to combat the increasing menace of fake news.

• During his address at the UN General Assembly, HH The Emir thanks the people of Qatar for standing solidly behind him.

September 19

• HH The Emir meets US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

September 24

• Thousands of people line the Doha Corniche to extend solidarity to HH The Emir and welcome him back home.

September 27

* Qatar announces an ambitious plan that will change the face of tourism in the country.

• Qatar’s imports rebound in August, suggesting that the impact from the illegal siege is fading.

September 29

* A British parliamentary team which visited Doha called for the urgent lifting of the illegal siege.

September 30

* HH The Emir gives an exclusive interview to British journalist Charlie Ross and he answers several pertinent questions related to the illegal siege.

October 1

• The cost of shipping goods via the Hamad Port drops by 31% since start of the blockade, according to a report.

October 2

• After more than three months, Qatar's population gets back to 2.6m people.

October 6

• The UAE’s attempt to defame Qatar with a Paris conference ends up being a miserable failure.

• The GCC blockade poses no risk to Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup, says Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy chief Al Thawadi.

* The US military confirms that it had halted joint exercises with the blockading nations over the Qatar crisis.

October 9

• A top UAE official confirms what many had suspected before — that the GCC crisis was manufactured to take the 2022 FIFA World Cup away from Qatar.

October 10

* The Primary Health Care Corporation confirms that it has served more than 15,000 citizens from siege nations after start of illegal blockade.

October 12

* Qatar requests the World Trade Organisation to adjudicate on its trade dispute with the UAE.

October 14

* HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim begins his tour of South East Asia.

October 17

* Qatar’s Foreign Minister says the Gulf crisis is hurting the fight against Islamic State.

October 18

* HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim denounces the unjust siege on Qatar and says the country is open to talks.

October 19

* US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blasts the Saudi-led bloc for the non-resolution of GCC crisis.

October 20

* An article in The Economist says that the boycott of Qatar is hurting its enforcers badly as well.

October 24

* Qatar hails the Kuwaiti Emir’s call for calm and reconciliation in the region.

October 25

* Qatar imposes sanctions on 11 individuals and two terrorism-related entities.

* In a major move, Qatar introduces minimum wages for workers for the first time in history.

October 27

* The ’Siege countries' hid their intentions during the Riyadh summit, says Qatar’s former Prime Minister.

• HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim speaks out about the ongoing Gulf crisis, the reasons behind it and Trump’s plans to help resolve it.

October 28

* The US Ambassador to United Nations makes a U-turn and says that Qatar does not fund Hamas.

October 29

* Bahrain threatens to pull out of Gulf summit and calls for Qatar’s expulsion from the GCC bloc.

• HH The Emir stands tall as he refuses to bend to pressure from blockading nations.

October 30

* Bahraini king says his country will boycott any and all summits which is attended by Qatar.

October 31

* The International Monetary Fund warns Gulf nations of weakened medium-term growth due to the crisis.

November 1

• The United States approve arms deal worth $1.1bn to Qatar despite the ongoing crisis.

• Al Jazeera celebrates 21st anniversary amid renewed calls for its closure from neighbouring countries.

November 2

* BMI Research releases a report saying that the effects of the illegal siege on Qatar is slowly fading.

November 4

• Saudi Arabia destroys a missile launched by Houthi rebels against Riyadh’s King Khaled airport.

• Despite the ongoing siege, Qatar was still adjudged as one of the safest countries in the world.

November 5

* Bahrain escalates tensions by re-opening an old border dispute that was resolved long ago.

* A helicopter crash near Yemen kills high-ranking Saudi prince and seven other travellers.

November 7

* A UAE song called “Tell Qatar” gets hilarious Twitter response from Qatar residents.

November 8

* Qatar accuses the four blockading nations of fragmenting the Gulf Cooperation Council.

November 9

* In a historic first, Qatar appoints four women to the Advisory Council.

* A secret plan by the UAE has been revealed to wage an economic war against Qatar!

November 14

* HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim says Qatar has been a ‘thousand times better off’ without the siege countries.

* A visit by the King of Morocco to Qatar has been hailed as a stupendous success.

November 15

* HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim holds productive talks with Turkish President Erdogan in Doha.

November 16

* Qatar and Sudan announce they will jointly build the Red Sea coast’s largest sea port.

November 17

• Qatar is well-prepared for countering any military move from neighbours and is confident of US support, says foreign minister.

November 19

• Qatar’s defence minister has spoken straight about the ongoing GCC crisis.

* Qatar continues to innovate and announce that expats will soon be able to do residency procedures at home country before flying to Qatar.

November 20

* The siege nations are sabotaging the stability of the entire region, says Qatari foreign minister.

November 22

* Qatar decides to move forward with implementation of pathbreaking Permanent Residency law.

• World Trade Organisation agrees to hear Qatar’s complaint against the UAE.

November 23

* Egypt reportedly imposes entry visas on Qatari citizens.

November 24

* The country plans to remain the world’s leading LNG supplier, says Qatar’s Energy minister.

November 25

* Qatar Central Bank chief says the illegal siege on Qatar has had no impact on the country.

• Dubai security chief sparks outrage by calling to bomb Doha-based Al Jazeera News.

November 26

• Against agreed norms, Saudi Arabia denies entry to three Qatari GCC officials.

• Qatar initiates talks with Turkey and Iran to enhance trade ties.

November 27

* On why the financial war on Qatari Riyal has failed, and why it could backfire on region.

November 28

* Qatar aims to get self-sufficient in milk supply by the end of July, 2018.

* A team from Amnesty International arrives in Doha to assess the impact of illegal blockade on Qatar.

November 29

* The Qatar Investment Authority chief says that the blockade has had only a minimal impact on Qatar.

December 1

* Signs of a breakthrough emerge as Qatar and Saudi Arabia decide to attend GCC summit.

December 2

* Qatar-based Muslim group decides to sue blockading countries over its placement in ‘terrorism list’.

December 4 

The six Gulf ministers meet for the first time to hold talks before GCC summit.

DECEMBER 5TH 2017 - JUNE 3RD 2018

December 10

Qatar and the UK sign $8bn fighter jet deal. BAE Systems agrees to sell Qatar 24 Typhoon combat jets.

December 12

Qatar's 2018 budget plan is released, with higher spending projected on supporting food security projects.

December 14

The human rights group Amnesty International calls for an end to the blockade, citing how it has split families apart across the region.

December 19

Qatar celebrates National Day with a huge turnout of support for the country, and sets a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of people to take part in making a portrait of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called the 'Dignity Image'.

December 20

Saudi Arabia permanently closes land border, according to a document issued by the country’s customs directorate.

December 24 - 30

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani returns from his West Africa tour. The tour included visits to Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ghana.

January 13

UAE military aircraft violates Qatari airspace for the second time, according to a statement by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

January 15

* US President Donald Trump thanks HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for "action to counter terrorism and extremism in all forms".

* HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives in Turkey to meet Turkish president.

* UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) accuses Qatari fighter jets of intercepting two of its aircraft that were heading to Manama.


January 16

* Doha hosts the Turkey-Qatar Business Forum to promote bilateral trade and ease transportation through Iraq and Iran. 

* El Salvador's Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez meets Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani upon arrival in Qatar for three-day visit.
 The two nations also sign an agreement that opens the possibility of an air route between the two as Qatar seeks to increase its flights to South America.


January 18

The UAE is revealed to have paid $333,000 for a social media campaign linking Qatar to "terrorism".
 NBC News reports that SCL Social Limited, a data company that also worked for the Donald Trump campaign, filed paperwork showing it helped spread negative information in campaign against  Qatar.


January 19

Hasan al-Thawadi, the secretary-general of Qatar's World Cup organising committee, rejects claim that some FIFA 2022 World Cup matches could be played elsewhere in the Gulf.


January 20

A member of the Qatari royal family, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani, who was allegedly detained in the UAE, has been transferred to a hospital shortly after reaching Kuwait.

January 22

* Louvre museum apologizes and opened an official inquiry into the incident where Abu Dhabi's Louvre Museum map omitted the Qatari Peninsula. 

* HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives Kuwait's Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled al-Roudhan, to discuss relations between the two countries in sports.


ِAl-Roudhan thanks Qatar for its contribution in ending FIFA's suspension of the Kuwait Football Association, and Qatar's agreement to move the 23rd Gulf Cup to Kuwait.


In reaction, Saudi Arabia's Sports Authority Chairman Turki al-Sheikh tweets that al-Roudhan is "mercenary".


January 28

In first direct cable since blockade began, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad ِِِِِAl Thani sends a cable of condolence to the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, on the death of his mother. 


February 11

Buzzfeed reports that Daniel Kawczynski, a British parliamentarian, was reportedly $20,700 to help organise an anti-Qatar conference.
 Saudi Arabia and UAE suspected.

February 16

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani warns that Gulf Crisis is destabilizing the region's security and economic outlook in an address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

February 21

Fitch ratings agency states that Qatar's fiscal deficit is narrowing, with "signs of broader economic resilience" despite the blockade.


March 7

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the headquarters in Brussels, concluding in a military agreement allowing NATO forces to pass through Qatar and use Al Udeid Air Base.

March 13

Baladna anticipates meeting local demand for dairy products, including fresh milk, by Ramadan in May.

March 14

*Qatar reveals strategy to "rationalize energy consumption and encourage development of renewable energy".

*Qatar News Agency announces the signing of an agreement with Qatar Petroleum for the continued operation of the shared Al Bunduq offshore oil field between Qatar and UAE. 

March 15

Qatar announces it will spend $3.71bn to buy 28 military helicopters for enhancing the Qatari air force.

March 25

Amid rumors to the contrary, the US embassy in Qatar rubbishes the false reports and announces it is not leaving Incirlik Air Base in Turkey or the Al Udeid AB, Qatar. It reiterates that the reports are "false and without merit".

March 26

* HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, vow to bolster ties.

* Qatar Airways reveals plans to purchase a minority stake in Russia's Vnukovo Airport.

April 2

UAE states that it filed a complaint against Qatar at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over alleged interceptions of its aircrafts in Bahraini airspace.

April 10

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meets with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss ties, the Gulf Crisis, and the alleged terrorism funding in the Gulf region.

April 16

Qatar hosts American, British and French forces at the Al Udeid airbase.

April 18

The Qatari Ministry of Defence announces its participation in the month-long Gulf Shield 1 military exercises held in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, between March 21 and April 16.

April 22

Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, tweets his '14th demand' (an addition to the 13 demands issued by the blockading nations in July, calling for the prosecution of Al Jazeera for allegedly "spreading lies and rumours".

May 8

Saad al-Kaabi, Qatar Petroleum's CEO, states the company will push ahead with its production expansion despite the illegal blockade. 

May 22

The Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce, Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, meets with Australian Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud. The meeting is aimed to boost relations, especially economic, trade and investment ties.

May 26

* Qatar orders that shops remove goods originating from blockading countries. Qatar's government vows to try and halt products such as Saudi dairy goods from entering Qatar through a third country.

* In an official statement Qatar's Government Communications Office states it is trying to "protect the safety of consumers."

May 27

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa tells Alsharq Alawsat newspaper that, "The information in our hands today does not indicate any "glimmer of hope" for a solution now, as the matter does not happen suddenly." 

June 2

*Senior Russian politician says Moscow will continue with plans to supply an advanced aerial defense system to Qatar despite Saudi Arabia's reported opposition.

*The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics issues report indicating the population of Qatar at the end of May 2018 was about 2,732,000 people, and has risen by 0.9% over the previous month.

June 3

Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah says Qatar had "a lot of differences" with Iran but that does not mean "we go and fuel a war" in the region.

Cover image credit: Reuters/File.