A number of Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilizing the region.
They say Qatar backs militant groups including so-called Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, which it’s denies.
The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of oil-rich.
Qatar call the decision “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact”.
The Gulf countries are unrepresented move is seen. As a major split between countries, who are also close US allies.
It comes amid heighten tensions between Gulf countries and Their near-neighbor, Iran. The Saudi statement accuse Qatar of collaborating with “Iranian-backed terrorist groups”. Its restive eastern region of Qatif and in Bahrain.
What has happened to Qatar?
The diplomatic withdrawal was first put into motion by Bahrain. Then Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government and the Maldives all followed suit. SPA cited officials as saying the decision was take to “protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism”.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have given all Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave their territory. The three countries have also ban their citizens from traveling to Qatar.
However, Saudi Arabia says it will still allow Qataris to take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
So far, there has been no sign of reciprocal moves by the country.
In the latest developments:
- The UAE and Egypt have given Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave both countries.
- Airlines from many of the affected countries, including Egypt Air, Etihad Airways and Emirates. They are to cancel flights to and from the Qatari capital Doha.
- The Gulf allies said they had closed their airspace to Qatar Airways, which has suspended all its flights to Saudi Arabia.
- Bahrain’s state news agency said it was cutting its ties because Qatar was “shaking the security and stability of Bahrain and meddling in its affairs”.
- The Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels also expelled Qatar from its alliance because of its “practices that strengthen terrorism” and its support of extremist groups.
Quote : BBC World News