RIYADH: Several Arab states including Saudi Arabia, announced today that they were severing diplomatic ties with Qatar, as they accused the Gulf state of supporting terrorism.
Riyadh cut diplomatic ties and closed borders with its neighbour to “protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism”, said a Saudi media report.
Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya and the United Arab Emirates also cut the diplomatic relations with Qatar with UAE saying that the “decisive” measure was due to the “gross violations committed by authorities in Doha over the past years”.
Egypt’s foreign ministry also accused Doha of supporting ‘terrorism’ and said all Egyptian ports and airports would be closed to Qatari vessels.
Bahrain news agency said the tiny kingdom was cutting ties with Doha over its insistence on “shaking the security and stability of Bahrain and meddling in its affairs”.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government accused Doha of working with its enemies in the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
“Qatar’s practices of dealing with the [Houthi] coup militias and supporting extremist groups became clear,” the government said in a statement.
Qatar calls Arab moves to cut ties unjustified, baseless
Qatar said it regretted a coordinated decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to cut diplomatic relations over Doha’s alleged support for terrorism.
“The measures are unjustified and are based on claims and allegations that have no basis in fact,” the foreign ministry said.