Arab states that have cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar tightened their squeeze on Friday by putting dozens of Qatar-linked people on terrorism blacklists, while Qatari ally Turkey came to its side with plans to send troops, warships and planes.
The developments intensified a confrontation between tiny-but-wealthy Qatar and a group of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt that accuse it of fomenting instability. The dispute has created a major diplomatic test for the United States, which is close allies of the countries on both sides.
In an apparent escalation of the crisis, staff at Al Jazeera, Qatar's influential satellite television news channel which often infuriates the rulers of the Arab world, said on Thursday its computer systems were under cyber attack.
Riyadh, Cairo and their allies accuse Qatar, the world's richest country per capita, of supporting militant Islamist movements across the region. They have imposed what Qatar says is a blockade of shipping and air traffic, and closed Qatar's only land border, causing panic buying at supermarkets.
ASSERTIVE FOREIGN POLICY
Qatar, which has developed an assertive foreign policy over the past decade, denies that it supports militants and says it is helping to reduce the threat of terrorism by backing groups that fight poverty and seek political reform.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani called the moves by Arab neighbours and others "clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
"They will not have a positive impact on the region but a negative one," the minister said during a visit to Germany.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the worst crisis to grip the region in years.
"We are convinced that now is the hour of diplomacy and we must talk to each other; along with our American colleagues but above all our colleagues in the region, we must try to find solutions, especially lifting the sea and air blockades."
Washington relies closely on the countries on both sides of the dispute for its military operations in the Gulf: Qatar hosts the U.S. Air Force's biggest base in the region, while Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy. Both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have funded rebels fighting in the Syrian civil war.
The conflagration erupted just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia. Trump initially responded by tweeting his support for moves against Qatar, even as his State Department and Defense Department sought to remain neutral.
With supply chains disrupted and anxiety mounting about economic turbulence, banks and firms in Gulf Arab states were trying to keep business links to Qatar open and avoid a costly firesale of assets. The riyal currency has tumbled and the cost of insuring Qatari debt against default has risen.
CLASHING OVER BROTHERHOOD
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and Bahrain added 59 people to terrorist blacklists, among them 18 Qataris, including Abdullah bin Khalid Al Thani, a former interior minister and member of Qatar's royal family.
The Qatari government said the move "reinforces baseless allegations that hold no foundation in fact".
"Our position on countering terrorism is stronger than many of the signatories of the joint statement - a fact that has been conveniently ignored by the authors," it said in a statement. Those on the list, including the former interior minister, could not be reached for comment.
Many of the others added to the list are figures associated with the Muslim Brotherhood who have made Qatar a base, including Brotherhood spiritual leader Yousef al-Qaradawi. Some are prominent jihadists who have fought in Libya and Syria.
Qatar has angered its neighbours for years by supporting the Brotherhood, a decades-old underground movement that calls for rule based on Islamic principles.
The Brotherhood says it eschews violence but some Arab states call it a terrorist movement. It came to power in Egypt in an election in 2012 but was toppled a year later by the military.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose AK Party has its roots in Islamist politics and who has voiced support for the Brotherhood, signalled his firm backing for Qatar by swiftly signing a law to send Turkish troops to a base there.
In a signal of Turkey's urgency over the issue, parliament passed the law on Wednesday, Erdogan signed it on Thursday and it was published in the state gazette by Friday.
TURKISH WARPLANES AND WARSHIPS
Turkey will send warplanes and warships to Qatar after an initial deployment of troops at a base in Doha, the mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper said on its website.
"The number of Turkish warplanes and Turkish warships going to the base will become clear after the preparation of a report based on an initial assessment at the base," Hurriyet said. Around 90 Turkish soldiers are currently at the base, it said.
Turkish officials were not immediately available to comment on the report but Hurriyet said there were plans to send some 200-250 soldiers within two months in the initial stage.
Staff at Al Jazeera said on Thursday the Qatari state-funded network, which is watched by millions of people across the Arabic-speaking world, had come under a sustained cyber attack but was still functioning.
Qatar also said last month its state news agency had been hacked and false statements attributed to the country's ruler posted, helping ignite the current rift with other Arab states.
Qatar said it leads the region in attacking what it called the roots of terrorism, giving young people hope through jobs, educating hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and funding community programmes to challenge extremist agendas.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting both Sunni Muslim Islamist militants and Shi'ite Muslim Iran - charges Qatar rejects. Several other countries later followed suit.
Would-be mediators, including Trump and Kuwait's ruling emir, have struggled to ease the crisis.
Trump initially took sides in tweets with the Saudi-led group, before apparently being nudged into a more even-handed approach when U.S. defence officials renewed praise of Qatar where their base is located.
Qatar's ambassador to Washington said on Thursday his government trusted Trump's ability to resolve the dispute.
"The most important engagement that happened so far from the U.S. is by the president, which we highly appreciate," Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani told the Financial Times. "We truly believe that the involvement of the president and the U.S. will bring this crisis to an end."
The ambassador left open the prospect of compromise, saying: "We are courageous enough to acknowledge if things need to be amended."
Reuters
Fri Jun 09 2017
![Arab powers draw up Qatari blacklist; Turkey to send troops as Gulf crisis deepens Arab powers draw up Qatari blacklist; Turkey to send troops as Gulf crisis deepens](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-06/71496744191_DohaQatarcrisis.jpg)
Buildings are seen on a coast line in Doha, Qatar June 5, 2017. REUTERS
![Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723720861_TBmerdeka.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi
Kapasiti tempat duduk awam bertingkat di Dataran Putrajaya di sini akan ditambah.
Belasungkawa: Nidza Afham dikebumikan di Puncak Alam
Ikuti siaran perjalanan terakhir jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham di Masjid Puncak Alam dan akan dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Felda Bukit Cherakah, Puncak Alam, Selangor.
![Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie' Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723720409_TBmaut.jpg)
Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie'
Dua remaja lelaki maut selepas motosikal yang ditunggang mereka bertembung ketika melakukan aksi 'wheelie' di Jalan Elmina Business Park, Aman Putri, Sungai Pelong di sini pada Rabu.
![PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723451938_TBMohdAzizi.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan
Mohd Azizi menarik balik rayuan dibuat terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi yang menolak permohonan injunksi sementara bagi menghentikan PRK Nenggiri.
![Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723720349_Kebumi.jpg)
Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Allahyarham Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Bandar Puncak Alam jam 6.30 petang tadi.
![Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723708198_TBFAhmi.jpg)
Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi
Proses libat urus Kementerian Kewangan dengan pihak pemegang taruh bagi tujuan penyiapan dokumen Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar.
![Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723717543_tbAhmadRamli.jpg)
Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri
Mahkamah Sesyen mengarahkan bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor, dirujuk ke bahagian psikiatri di Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
![Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723718198_tokyo.jpg)
Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu
Nasihat gempa bumi Palung Nankai mendorong kerajaan pusat dan komuniti tempatan untuk memperhebatkan persiapan bencana sejak minggu lepas.
![Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723717957_IbuMBKedahmenigg.jpg)
Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad, 74, ibu Menteri Besar Kedah, selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Sungai Pau jam 5.45 petang Khamis.
![Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723717419_tbIsmeeIsmail.jpg)
Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee
Mahkamah Tinggi diberitahu bahawa Ahli Lembaga Pengarah SRC International adalah sekumpulan profesional dan bukannya 'boneka' Najib.
![Al Jazeera tolak dakwaan Israel wartawan yang dibunuh ahli kumpulan Hamas Al Jazeera tolak dakwaan Israel wartawan yang dibunuh ahli kumpulan Hamas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722440689_TBWARTAWANMAUTjpg.jpg)
Al Jazeera tolak dakwaan Israel wartawan yang dibunuh ahli kumpulan Hamas
Rangkaian Media Al Jazeera menafikan sekerasnya dakwaan itu dan berkata ia hanya dijadikan alasan untuk lakukan pembunuhan kejam.
![Pemimpin Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh dibunuh di Iran - Laporan Pemimpin Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh dibunuh di Iran - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51722399136_IsmailHaniyeh.jpg)
Pemimpin Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh dibunuh di Iran - Laporan
Ismail Haniyeh dilaporkan dibunuh di ibu negara Iran, Tehran, lapor media antarabangsa sebentar tadi.
![Al Jazeera diharamkan di Israel, operasi ditutup serta-merta Al Jazeera diharamkan di Israel, operasi ditutup serta-merta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61714915265_AlJazeera.jpg)
Al Jazeera diharamkan di Israel, operasi ditutup serta-merta
Benjamin Netanyahu sebelum ini menyifatkan Al Jazeera sebagai 'saluran pengganas' dan sebagai ancaman kepada kerajaan pimpinannya.
![Al Jazeera kutuk pembunuhan ahli keluarga wartawan Wael Dahdouh Al Jazeera kutuk pembunuhan ahli keluarga wartawan Wael Dahdouh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/71594309872_aljazeera.jpg)
Al Jazeera kutuk pembunuhan ahli keluarga wartawan Wael Dahdouh
Al Jazeera seru masyarakat antarabangsa turut serta dalam usaha mengakhiri serangan ke atas orang awam, sekali gus melindungi nyawa golongan yang tidak berdosa.
![Serangan meningkat di Gaza, kakitangan Al Jazeera cari tempat berlindung Serangan meningkat di Gaza, kakitangan Al Jazeera cari tempat berlindung](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/71594309872_aljazeera.jpg)
Serangan meningkat di Gaza, kakitangan Al Jazeera cari tempat berlindung
Siaran Al Jazeera dari Gaza pada pukul 3 pagi terpaksa dihentikan disebabkan bimbang dengan tahap keselamatan.
![Jual vape: 'Malaysia seolah-olah sudah memasuki era 'Wild Wild West' - Khairy Jual vape: 'Malaysia seolah-olah sudah memasuki era 'Wild Wild West' - Khairy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61682739876_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
Jual vape: 'Malaysia seolah-olah sudah memasuki era 'Wild Wild West' - Khairy
Bekas Menteri Kesihatan, Khairy Jamaluddin menyuarakan kebimbangan beliau berhubung penjualan berleluasa vape tanpa kawalan di Malaysia, sehingga menarik minat media antarabangsa.
![Al Jazeera ulangi ikrar bela kematian wartawan Shireen Abu Akleh Al Jazeera ulangi ikrar bela kematian wartawan Shireen Abu Akleh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/81683842624_anniversary.jpg)
Al Jazeera ulangi ikrar bela kematian wartawan Shireen Abu Akleh
Al Jazeera akan mencari keadilan kepada Shireen dengan mendesak melalui pelbagai cara untuk memastikan pembunuhnya diheret ke pengadilan.
![Wartawan Al Jazeera maut ditembak tentera Israel Wartawan Al Jazeera maut ditembak tentera Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/41652252295_ShireenAbuAkleh.jpg)
Wartawan Al Jazeera maut ditembak tentera Israel
wartawan Al Jazeera, Shireen Abu Akleh merupakan seorang wartawan yang sangat dihormati.
![Pejabat biro AP dan Al Jazeera di Gaza musnah dalam serangan udara Israel Pejabat biro AP dan Al Jazeera di Gaza musnah dalam serangan udara Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/41621083765_Gazatower.jpg)
Pejabat biro AP dan Al Jazeera di Gaza musnah dalam serangan udara Israel
Sebelum ini pemilik bangunan telah diberi amaran bahawa serangan peluru berpandu itu akan muncul menyerang premis berkenaan.
![Malaysia jatuh 18 anak tangga dalam Indeks Kebebasan Media 2021 - RSF Malaysia jatuh 18 anak tangga dalam Indeks Kebebasan Media 2021 - RSF](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-04/51618904861_WorldPressFre.jpg)
Malaysia jatuh 18 anak tangga dalam Indeks Kebebasan Media 2021 - RSF
Malaysia jatuh 18 tangga dari tempat ke-101 pada 2020 ke tempat ke-119 tahun ini.