Saudi Arabia threatens Qatar with repercussions over perceived interference in the region

Local media have alleged that a Saudi official handed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, an urgent message from the Saudi government, in which it is mentioned that the Saudi royals will review their position toward Qatar –freezing of all diplomatic ties - should the Emir continue to indulge in his father’s former policies by interfering with Saudi Arabia’s interests in the immediate region – mainly Egypt – 

Riyahd wants the Emir of Qatar to end his support of the Muslim Brotherhood, among other things. Sheikh Tamim rose to power is allegedly tied to an agreement with the KSA by which Qatar would refrain from interfering or meddling in Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s internal affairs and policies.

Saudi officials would have already hash out a series of punishing measures against Qatar, such as an airspace ban  - no plane from Qatar would be able to fly over Saudi Arabia’s airspace, thus geographically ostracizing the state – Qatar would also be barred from entering Saudi Arabia territories, thus cutting off all commercial routes.

Royals are considering adding to such list the following punitive measures – a freeze on all trade agreements signed since 2006, a freeze of Qatar airways licence in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Tamim who recently travelled to Turkey has stopped over in Kuwait on his way back in a bid to revive mediation talks with Saudi Arabia, hoping that Kuwait would manage to bridge some of the countries’ differences and divergence of opinions.

Many across the GCC countries have confirmed sources see Qatar’s insistence to push on its own political agenda in the region as a threat to regional security and in opposition with the GCC countries’ most recent decisions.

The Emir of Kuwait has already urged King Abdullah to postpone any punitive measures against Doha, in a last bid to align Qatar back with the GCC countries’ policies. Qatar’s insistence to promote, finance and enable the Muslim Brotherhood has angered King Abdullah. 

Sheikh Tamim expressed his desire to take actions consistent with the GCC countries wishes at a meeting of foreign ministers in Kuwait. But political experts have warned that it could too little too late to turn the tide vis a vis Saudi Arabia.

Egypt, which is strong ally of Saudi Arabia, has long complained that Qatar has been actively supporting to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization which Cairo has branded a terror group. Qatar is one of the largest bastions of the Brotherhood in the region, where Youssef El-Qaradawi, the MB’s spiritual guide, resides.