(VOVWORLD) -The Gulf region is facing its most severe crisis in history after several Arab nations cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing Qatar’s support for terrorist groups. The Middle East now could be dragged in new armed conflicts.
 (Photo: Reuters) |
Following Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Bahrain, 5 other countries announced they were breaking off relations with Qatar, closing airspaces and territorial waters, and asking their citizens to leave Qatar. Saudi Arabia has sealed off its border, blocking food supply transport into Qatar. For the first time in history, Arabian countries have severed ties with one of their neighbors for supporting and sponsoring terror groups.
Causes of Middle East division
The month-long crisis shows no sign of abating. On Monday, the Iranian naval force deployed 2 warships to Oman, which shares a border with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen. Tehran has sent 4 air shipments of food to Qatar and plans to supply 100 tons of vegetables per day to its partner.
Observers say the crisis stems from long-term tensions in the Arab world over Qatar’s independent foreign policy, its close ties to Iran, and its attitude toward the Muslim Brotherhood. Differences deepened after the 2011 Arab Spring movement, when anti-government protests broke out in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE opposed the movement, but Qatar remained neutral. The UAE viewed Qatar’s stance as an affront to others in the region who considered the Muslim Brotherhood a threat to the region. Some say rivalry has long simmered beneath the surface between oil-rich countries.
Tension diffusion efforts
The international community has called on all parties involved to settle their dispute through dialogue. The US urged countries to ease their blockade of Qatar, saying this unprecedented diplomatic crisis will affect the US-led war against the Islamic State. Turkey said it is ready to do anything it can to defuse tensions and resolve disputes peacefully. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan affirmed his support for Qatar, called for the full removal of the blockade, and urged Saudi Arabia to forge better relations with its neighbors. China also voiced support for actions to narrow differences and restraint from provoking further tensions.
Kuwait is leading efforts to resolve the diplomatic crisis in the Gulf region. While touring Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, the Kuwaiti Emir called for a diplomatic solution. Experts believe the current crisis is temporary and will be settled through diplomatic channels.