Bahrain, KSA, Egypt and UAE cut diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing it of destabilising the region
WEB DESK
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region. The countries say Qatar is supporting terrorist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact. It cited officials as saying it is to protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism.
UAE state news agency WAM said, the United Arab Emirates has given Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. Abu Dhabi accuses Doha of supporting, funding and embracing terrorism, extremism and sectarian organisations.
Bahrain today also announced cutting diplomatic ties citing ongoing attempts to destabilize security in the country. In a statement the Kingdom of Bahrain said it has decided to cut the diplomatic relation with Qatar due to the insistence of the State of Qatar in further destabilizing security and stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Egypt has also closed its airspace and ports for all Qatari transportation. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement today that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar because of the continued hostility of the Qatari authorities towards Egypt.
Yemen government has also announced severing ties ties with Qatar accusing it of working with its enemies of the Iran-aligned Houthi militia.
A government statement said Yemen supports the decision of Saudi-led coalition, fighting the Houthis, to remove Qatar from its ranks.
According to Sputnik news, Libya has also broken off diplomatic relations with Qatar following the move by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels expelled Qatar from its alliance because of Doha’s “practices that strengthen terrorism” and its support to groups “including Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, as well as dealing with the rebel militias.
Qatar Foreign Ministry has regretted the decision of the Arab countries to cut off ties.
According to Al Jazeera, Qatar Foreign Ministry said it regretted a coordinated decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to cut diplomatic relations claiming Doha’s alleged support for terrorism.
Foreign ministry said the claim has no basis. Qatar also said the decision will not affect the normal lives of citizens and residents.