Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt broke diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab state Qatar on Monday, pointing to Doha's ties to terrorism and the need to maintain national security.
The coordinated move dramatically escalates a simmering dispute over Qatar's support of the Muslim Brotherhood and adds accusations that Doha even backs the agenda of Iran.
Bahrain’s foreign affairs ministry issued a statement, saying it would withdraw its diplomatic mission from the Qatari capital of Doha within 48 hours and that all Qatari diplomats should leave Bahrain within the same period.
The ministry’s statement said Qatari citizens needed to leave Bahrain within two weeks and that air and sea traffic between the two countries would be halted.
The UAE’s state news agency WAM reported the Emirates cut ties and gave diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, citing their “support, funding and embrace of terrorist, extremist and sectarian organisations”.
Egypt announced the closure of its airspace and seaports for all Qatari transportation to protect its national security, the Guardian reported.
