Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has suspended all flights to Qatar, it said on its official Twitter account on Monday, without providing further details. Other airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have also announced similar moves, while Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Saudi Arabia.
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Qatar has expressed “regret and utter surprise” over the move by UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to close borders and criticized what it said are “unjustified measures based on unfounded allegations” against the state.
In an official statement in Arabic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) hit out at what it called a media “smear campaign involving fabrications and provocations against it (Qatar) which shows premeditated intentions to cause harm to the country.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar expressed deep regret over the decision of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain to close their borders and airspace and cut off diplomatic relations. Such measures are unjustified and are based on baseless and unfounded allegations.
Qatar has been exposed to an instigation campaign based on allegations that amounted to absolute fabrications, which proves that there are premeditated intentions to cause damage to the State. Qatar is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), committed to its Charter, respects the sovereignty of other countries, does not interfere in their internal affairs, and carries out its duties in combating terrorism and extremism.
It is clear that the media campaign failed to convince public opinion in the region and in the Gulf countries in particular, which explains the continued escalation.
The fabrication of reasons for taking action against a sister country in the GCC is clear evidence that there is no legitimate justification for these measures, which were taken in coordination with Egypt, and the purpose is clear: the imposition of guardianship over the State. This in itself is a violation of its sovereignty as a state which is categorically rejected.
The statement pointed out that the allegations contained in the statements of severing the relations issued by the three countries represent an undisclosed attempt which further confirms the premeditated planning of media campaigns, which contained many fabrications.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that these measures taken against the State of Qatar will not affect the normal course of life of the citizens and residents of the State and that the Qatari Government will take all necessary measures to ensure this and to thwart attempts to influence and harm the Qatari society and economy.
Finally, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed its regret that the three countries did not find at this critical stage a more important and crucial challenge for their people than targeting the State of Qatar and attempting to harm it.
5 countries cut links with Qatar
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.