Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Yemen cut diplomatic ties with Qatar

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Yemen cut diplomatic ties with Qatar

QLReporter
By QLReporter

In a sign of escalating tensions, five countries — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Yemen — cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar today.

Qatar swiftly replied to the move by saying that there was ‘no legitimate justification’ for the action and that the decision was in ‘violation of its sovereignty.’ Qatar vowed to its citizens and the hundreds of thousands of residents that the measures would not affect them, reported Al Jazeera.

“The measures are unjustified and are based on claims and allegations that have no basis in fact,” the statement said, adding that the decisions would “not affect the normal lives of citizens and residents.”

“The aim is clear, and it is to impose guardianship on the state. This by itself is a violation of its (Qatar's) sovereignty as a state,” it added.

The cutting of ties began with Bahrain today morning, with the country saying they were taking the extreme step after saying they believed Qatar was interfering in their internal affairs, reported Reuters.

A brief statement on the Bahrain News Agency said Bahrain was also cutting air and sea contact with Qatar. It also gave Qataris in Bahrain 14 days to leave.

It gave its diplomatic personnel 48 hours to leave Doha and said air and sea ties would be severed within 24 hours of the announcement.

Bahrain has also said it will not allow Qatari citizens to enter or pass through its country.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of Qatar.

On Saturday, hackers had briefly taken over the Twitter account of Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, according to the country's foreign ministry, reported International Business Times.

Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign affairs had said the cyberattack was carried out by a "terrorist group that attributed false tweets to the minister" and vowed to hold the perpetrators behind "this despicable act" accountable.

Bahrain News Agency later reported that the ministers Twitter handle @khalidalkhalifa had been successfully reclaimed.

Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, said it would suspend flights to and from Qatar starting Tuesday. Emirates, a Dubai-based airline, and FlyDubai, the emirate's budget airline, quickly followed suit.

By Molten Metal• 6 Jun 2017 09:05
Molten Metal

Mods, you spolied this most serious topic again, you won't improve ........ because I put my sincere efforts in the emergency situation but you removed the key points & inputs .... so sad ............

By zuma222• 5 Jun 2017 13:34
zuma222

Am surprised.

2 weeks ago All GCC leaders with Donald Trump gathered at Riyadh to discuss the future of the region.

Today News, the region are cutting ties with each other.

Muslim countries we deserved Unity not Division.

I pray Insha'Allah the issue will be resolve as soon as possible.

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 13:20
ken01

Can I eat your three little birds, chicken will soon vanish from the food shelves in markets and malls !!

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 13:18
ken01

If your spending more to get less where do the savings come from ?????

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 13:16
ken01

I don't wish to bring politics into this but I would be interested to read the list of "our friends" as you quote that will come to help ? All borders are closed unless you come by sea from --------- Iran !

By ExQat• 5 Jun 2017 13:12
ExQat

It has to be seen how they will cope with the fact that more than 40% of the food supply enters Qatar through the Saudi border.

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 12:46
ken01

Fine if your own personal circumstances allow you to pay the elevated prices, will my employer or the government assist me and my co workers who are on the minimum wage paid ?

By Molten Metal• 5 Jun 2017 12:39
Molten Metal

Ken, No problem, We must understand the circumstances & need to be strong to pass through the difficulties if any ............

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 12:36
ken01

Watch the price of fresh fruit and vegetables rise now the borders are closed !!!

By ken01• 5 Jun 2017 12:36
ken01

Watch the price of fresh fruit and vegetables rise now the borders are closed !!!

By Molten Metal• 5 Jun 2017 12:35
Molten Metal

Mufti, We all wish so ......... !!

By Mufti Shahid• 5 Jun 2017 12:24
Mufti Shahid

Hope the situation is diffused and normal returned.

By Molten Metal• 5 Jun 2017 12:01
Molten Metal

My bro please make alternative arrangement. We are with our Emir. We are strong enough to withstand the situation. We wish the conditions improve soon. ....... We support the truth ..........

By muhammad yasir siddiqui• 5 Jun 2017 11:55
muhammad yasir siddiqui

*i have a connecting flight through Dubai on 21st June from Emirates :/

By muhammad yasir siddiqui• 5 Jun 2017 11:55
muhammad yasir siddiqui

i have a connection flight through Dubai on 21st June from Emirates :/

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