Rising Tensions Between Qatar and Gulf Countries Over Alleged Remarks by Its Emir

Reports indicate that a verbal conflict has escalated between Qatar and several Gulf countries over statements attributed to the Emir of Qatar. On Wednesday, June 3, Qatar announced that its state news agency had been hacked, and statements attributed to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani criticizing the U.S. and praising Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood were published by the agency. It was claimed that the Emir made these remarks during a military promotion ceremony. The Qatari government states that the published remarks are fake and that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani did not make such statements. Reports suggest that despite the Qatari government's denial, news agencies and media from Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to publish statements attributed to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Reuters reports that the new tensions between Qatar and three Gulf countries indicate that disagreements among these nations are likely increasing behind the scenes. Qatar previously had disputes with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain in 2013. In an official statement, a Qatari Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday: 'We are surprised that despite the denial of the news, some television networks and news agencies continue to republish this fake news.' A Qatari government spokesperson also told Reuters: 'The Emir of Qatar did not speak at the military promotion ceremony at all.' Meanwhile, Saudi media have heavily attacked the Emir of Qatar. The Saudi newspaper Okaz wrote: 'Qatar has separated from the ranks and stands with the enemies of the Arab nation.' Riyadh's Arab News also stated: 'These remarks by the Emir of Qatar have provoked the anger of the Gulf countries.' Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have blocked the website of Qatar's Al Jazeera network. According to Reuters, Saudi government-affiliated Al Arabiya aired a program titled 'Evidence that Qatar's news agency was not hacked,' stating that the Emir's remarks were published not only in the state news agency but also on the state television network and the official Instagram of the state news agency. Al Arabiya also quoted a UAE Foreign Ministry official as saying that all Qatari news websites have been blocked in the UAE. A Western diplomat in Doha told Reuters: 'The reality is that the region is on the brink of escalating tensions, and this is complete chaos, and no one has a clear outlook.' The statements attributed to the Emir of Qatar came just days after his attendance at a meeting of Islamic leaders with U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. In his speech to the Islamic leaders, Trump stated that Iran is a source of instability in the region. Earlier, in March 2014, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, three members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, recalled their ambassadors from Qatar due to disagreements over Doha's support for Islamists.