Qatar Crisis and the Deepening Regional Faultlines

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar. They accused Qatar of supporting extremist and terror groups in the region, having close ties with Iran, undermining the security and stability of the Gulf region, and using the satellite television network Al Jazeera as a propaganda machine. They also put up a list of demands before Qatar, to be accepted within 10 days in order to end the boycott. Their demands included, among others: cutting off ties with Iran; shutting down the Turkish military base in Qatar; stopping funding and support for terror groups; paying compensation to them; and ending all contact with the internal opposition in their countries. They have also termed themselves as the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ). Qatar refuted all the allegations made by the boycotting countries. Qatar believes that such an act of isolation is in violation of international law and principles. Qatar also stated that it is a violation of its sovereignty by its neighbours. Qatar has refused to submit before the will of the boycotting countries and has refused to accept the conditions laid down by the boycotting quartet.