Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE sever ties to Qatar over 'terrorism'

[webfact]

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE sever ties to Qatar over 'terrorism'

 

FILE PHOTO - An aerial view of Doha's diplomatic area March 21, 2013. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad/File Photo

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed their ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing the wealthy Gulf Arab state of supporting terrorism.

 

The coordinated move dramatically escalates a simmering dispute over Qatar's support of the Muslim Brotherhood, the world's oldest Islamist movement, and adds accusations that Doha even backs the agenda of regional arch-rival Iran.

 

The three Gulf states announced the closure of transport ties with Qatar and gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their countries.

 

Saudi Arabia accused Qatar of backing militant groups and spreading their violent ideology, in an apparent reference to its influential state-owned satellite channel al Jazeera.

 

"(Qatar) embraces multiple terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS (Islamic State) and al-Qaeda, and promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly," state news agency SPA said.

 

The statement went on to accuse Qatar of supporting what it described as Iranian-backed militants in its restive and largely Shi'ite Muslim-populated Eastern region of Qatif and in Bahrain.

 

There was no immediate Qatari reaction to the announcements, but it has denied supporting terrorism or Iran in the past.

 

On its state news agency, Egypt, the Arab world's most populous nation, said Qatar's policy "threatens Arab national security and sows the seeds of strife and division within Arab societies according to a deliberate plan aimed at the unity and interests of the Arab nation."

 

(Reporting By Noah Browning, William Maclean, Mohammed el-Sherif and Amina Ismail; Editing by William Maclean and Bill Tarrant)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-05

[Prbkk]

Saudi v Qatar. What a choice!

[champers]

I watch Al Jazeera's English news channel and enjoy their documentaries and debates as well as their news coverage. One of their journalists is held in custody in Egypt for being an alleged spy and they often mention it in their news bulletins.

I do prefer it to the other mainstream news options I have: Fox and the BBC World news. Interestingly, BBC takes a goodly amount of advertising from Qatar Airways.

[puck2]

The Saudis listened a little bit too long to Mr. Liar, also known as Mr. Know-Nothing and as today-POTUS.   But who infected whom? Although Qatar not a center of modern civilization ....

 

- 9/11criminals came from Qatar?

- incredible, awful war crimes against the civil population of Yemen conducted by Qataris?

- Qatar a center of (SUNNI) terrorism and extremism compared to Saudi Arabia?

- and the list goes on.

[Prbkk]

29 minutes ago, puck2 said:

The Saudis listened a little bit too long to Mr. Liar, also known as Mr. Know-Nothing and as today-POTUS.   But who infected whom? Although Qatar not a center of modern civilization ....

 

- 9/11criminals came from Qatar?

- incredible, awful war crimes against the civil population of Yemen conducted by Qataris?

- Qatar a center of (SUNNI) terrorism and extremism compared to Saudi Arabia?

- and the list goes on.

And they run an infinitely better airline.

[Kinnock]

It's a shame the same countries do not take some action in response to the New York, Paris, Egypt and London attacks or against ISIS financing, rather than this nonsense, which is just a petty reaction to the centuries old Sunni vs Shia sectarian grudge match.

[sujoop]

Iran again falsely touted as a top terrorist sponsor

Price of Oil just shot up
World's #1 Saudi funded Sunni terrorists happy

Trump's big oil benefactor's happy

Trump's 'no strings' Saudi arms dealers happy

Another Trump/Saudi win-win

[55Jay]

Quote

Saudi Arabia will close the vital land border through which Qatar imports much of its food and other commodities, and air and sea travel has also been suspended, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The three GCC countries have also given Qatari nationals 14 days to leave their respective countries, and diplomats 48 hours to exit. Qatari nationals will not be allowed to enter or transit through the UAE and Emiratis are also prevented from travel to or through Qatar, UAE state news agency WAM said.

 

Etihad Airways said it would suspend all flights to and from Qatar starting on Tuesday.

 

http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/uae-and-saudi-arabia-cut-ties-with-qatar-and-shut-air-land-and-sea-access

Minuscule in scale when compared to the US travel system, and of course very different political/government systems, but once these guys make their mind up, the order is issued and that's it.  Close borders, trade, suspend flights and transit.  Bang.  Just like that. 

Edited June 5, 2017 by 55Jay

[ezzra]

Seems like those countries finally woke up to realize that terrorism will take the Arab cause no where fast, and that you can catch more flies with honey than with bombs and knives....

[pegman]

9 minutes ago, 55Jay said:

Minuscule in scale when compared to the US travel system, and of course very different political/government systems, but once these guys make their mind up, the order is issued and that's it.  Close borders, trade, suspend flights and transit.  Bang.  Just like that. 

totalitarianism at its finest. 

[pegman]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

Seems like those countries finally woke up to realize that terrorism will take the Arab cause no where fast, and that you can catch more flies with honey than with bombs and knives....

Yes maybe now the Saudis  will cancel the $310b arms deal with Trump and purchase honey instead, yah think?

[55Jay]

18 minutes ago, pegman said:

totalitarianism at its finest. 

Well sure.  This has been simmering for a while and not the first boil over, but my observation was purely about the swift, efficient action once the decision is made. 

 

Politically, can be played as a Win for Trump.  Sure the UK will get behind this rallying of the troops as well.  "All Hands to the Pump".

Edited June 5, 2017 by 55Jay

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE sever ties to Qatar over 'terrorism'

'Who' calls 'Who' a 'What'?

[than]

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 

"(Qatar) embraces multiple terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS (Islamic State) and al-Qaeda, and promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly," state news agency SPA said.

Don't forget, Ben Laden was a Saudi citizen

 

10 of 11 terrorist in 9 11 were Saudi citizen

Quote

A WikiLeaks released memo from the United States Secretary of State sent in 2009 asserted that the primary source of funding of Sunni terrorist groups worldwide was Saudi Arabia.

source Eric Lichtbau and Eric Schmitt Cash Flow to Terrorists Evades U.S. Efforts The New York Times, December 5, 2010

 

[Juan B Tong]

Thanks for flying Qatar Airways.

[Andaman Al]

This should get interesting now that the UAE have pitched in. My understanding was that a huge amount of the wealth that Dubai had was actually 'gifted' by Qatar as a result of a marriage between the Royal families. This seems to be a case of biting the hand that feeds you. It could be worrying if they all continue to get excited. Both Qatar and Saudi have strong well equipped military's and of course, share a border. It is interesting that in comments from the Middle East they say that this move by Saudi comes on the back of a visit by Donald Trump.

 

It is laughable that Saudi can complain about another country funding terrorism.

 

As the place where all Saudis go to get drunk at the weekend, Bahrain is an expected partner to join Saudi (apparently Allah can't see over the bridge and watch Saudi's getting drunk in Bahrain).

 

Egypt another one of Trumps new buddies is a bit of a surprise in joining in.

 

The Brent oil index up already 1% is a bit of an indicator that it could be time to look at going long on oil.

 

Etihad are stopping all flights to Qatar. If Saudi and the UAE cut access to their airspace for Qatar aircraft or international aircraft bound for Qatar this could get out of hand very quickly. All Qatar flights would have to use Iranian airspace.

 

I really hope Trump keeps his nose completely out of this.!

[Nigel Garvie]

The sick ideology behind Sunni terrorism comes from the Wahabi/Salafi Saudi madrassas, and has done for a very long time. Our oil purchases have paid for it to be exported all over the world. The Saudi royal family made a devils bargain long ago with the religious leaders of the time - keep us in power, and you can twist Islam any way you like. 

This move against Qatar is understandable from Egypt's point of view, for the Saudis it is just trying to take the heat off them and direct it elsewhere.

Edited June 5, 2017 by Nigel Garvie
spelling

[alanrchase]

This should get interesting now that the UAE have pitched in. My understanding was that a huge amount of the wealth that Dubai had was actually 'gifted' by Qatar as a result of a marriage between the Royal families. This seems to be a case of biting the hand that feeds you. It could be worrying if they all continue to get excited. Both Qatar and Saudi have strong well equipped military's and of course, share a border. It is interesting that in comments from the Middle East they say that this move by Saudi comes on the back of a visit by Donald Trump.
 
It is laughable that Saudi can complain about another country funding terrorism.
 
As the place where all Saudis go to get drunk at the weekend, Bahrain is an expected partner to join Saudi (apparently Allah can't see over the bridge and watch Saudi's getting drunk in Bahrain).
 
Egypt another one of Trumps new buddies is a bit of a surprise in joining in.
 
The Brent oil index up already 1% is a bit of an indicator that it could be time to look at going long on oil.
 
Etihad are stopping all flights to Qatar. If Saudi and the UAE cut access to their airspace for Qatar aircraft or international aircraft bound for Qatar this could get out of hand very quickly. All Qatar flights would have to use Iranian airspace.
 
I really hope Trump keeps his nose completely out of this.!

Trump may have difficulty keeping his nose out. 110 billion dollar arms deal with the Saudis and Qatar home to the biggest US military base in the region.

[ilostmypassword]

3 hours ago, Kinnock said:

It's a shame the same countries do not take some action in response to the New York, Paris, Egypt and London attacks or against ISIS financing, rather than this nonsense, which is just a petty reaction to the centuries old Sunni vs Shia sectarian grudge match.

Qatar is Sunni. Not just that, they are actually financing rebel Sunni militias in Syria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_support_to_Syrian_Opposition_in_the_Syrian_Civil_War

[ilostmypassword]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Seems like those countries finally woke up to realize that terrorism will take the Arab cause no where fast, and that you can catch more flies with honey than with bombs and knives....

You actually believe that this has anything to do with fighting terrorism? Did you know that the Saudis class atheism as one of many form of terrorism that actually have nothing to do with terrorism at all?

[ilostmypassword]

2 hours ago, 55Jay said:

Well sure.  This has been simmering for a while and not the first boil over, but my observation was purely about the swift, efficient action once the decision is made. 

 

Politically, can be played as a Win for Trump.  Sure the UK will get behind this rallying of the troops as well.  "All Hands to the Pump".

How does this play as a win for Trump? Unless someone is foolish enough to believe that this has anything to do with terrorism. In fact, this is just the opposite and is a fracture in the grand coalition of Sunni nations he hoped to create to fight the Iranians.

Edited June 5, 2017 by ilostmypassword

[mrdome]

That's a bit of a shocker, although Saudi Arabia is as black in that aspect as the kettle it's calling out.

 

Nevertheless, it's about time Qatar's dealings are exposed and discussed.

[Naam]

21 minutes ago, mrdome said:

That's a bit of a shocker, although Saudi Arabia is as black in that aspect as the kettle it's calling out.

that's generalising blah-blah without distinguishing between country and wealthy fundamentalist individuals.

[connda]

Hummm, sounds like the pot calling the kettle 'black.'  

[55Jay]

48 minutes ago, ilostmypassword said:

How does this play as a win for Trump? Unless someone is foolish enough to believe that this has anything to do with terrorism. In fact, this is just the opposite and is a fracture in the grand coalition of Sunni nations he hoped to create to fight the Iranians.

Trump goes to the sandbox, does the sword dance, and now this?   Trump could absolutely paint this as a foreign policy win in rallying the Saudis (and the others by extension) in his fight against terror.

 

And at the same time, the fracture is win for Iran.

 

I don't know what will happen but a part of me thinks the Qataris will get back in line.  

 

What do you think?

[coulson]

This is hilarious. Qatar was the biggest GCC importer of American arms exports in 2014 and 2015.

 

There have always been rumours about huge construction companies rising out of the sand with Syrian ties and a bunch of contracts signed without a whim, but using the Emir statement about Iran being an islamic power as an excuse (the whole news story and statement was allegedly fake and a result of their website being hacked) is a little bit thin off the back of Trumps visit to Saudi.

 

Qatar is a spec in the peninsula with a huge US military presence, but thanks for your business, woot woot.

 

Woot woot, oils back up, woot woot bigger customers right nextdoor.

 

Oops, Iran have access to billions of high tech hardware if it all goes south......its all just a little bit of history repeating.

 

 

 

 

 

[Andaman Al]

1 hour ago, 55Jay said:

Trump goes to the sandbox, does the sword dance, and now this?   Trump could absolutely paint this as a foreign policy win in rallying the Saudis (and the others by extension) in his fight against terror.

 

And at the same time, the fracture is win for Iran.

 

I don't know what will happen but a part of me thinks the Qataris will get back in line.  

 

What do you think?

I think if Trump doesn't realise the sword dance he is dancing he will cut his feet off. If the USA were seen as being a fraction complicit in this then it would cost the USA dearly, and to be booted out of their largest base in the region would be a just response.

 

Qatar may well be a speck in the desert in the region but it is incredibly wealthy and is the worlds largest exporter of LNG. Where is the evidence to show Qatari's supporting Iran? Qatar may well be supporting the rebel groups in Syria, along with Saudi and the UAE as they want Assad out. As for Egypt saying Qatar support the Muslim Brotherhood, it's not that long ago that the same organisation were in power in Egypt.

 

The world is totally frakked, -  not if but when.

[Mosha]

So where will the world cup be played if Saudis NATO lap dogs get involved?

Sent from my iris 505 using Tapatalk

[55Jay]

Quote

Cairo - A state of cautious anticipation prevails in Doha after the cousins of Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have disavowed any connection with the Emir’s actions, and have sent an official apology to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Saudi people. Moreover, there is a state of popular resentment at the behavior and actions of the Qatari ruling family, as it has recently shown itself being on very good terms with Iran.

http://www.albawabaeg.com/93045

[Dave67]

I work in Qatar . The air ban  from UAE , Dubai and Saudi will be painful with Emarates , Gulf and Etihad no longer using Doha. Flying To Thailand in a couple of weeks look like we'll have to fly over Iran rather tham UAE