UAE writer suggests closing GCC airspace to Qatari aircraft

CAIRO – 5 June 2017: Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s recent remarks in which he attacked Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their attitudes towards Iran prompted the major Arab powers to adopt urgent and strict measures towards Doha.

The Emirati Bayan newspaper published an article by journalist Salem Hamid, asserting that “The Gulf states have the right to take all required steps to confront the Qatari foreign policies which manipulate the country’s resources to support terrorism and threaten the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).”

The Gulf states have the ability to stop the Qatari politics of hatred that threaten the whole region including the Qatari people itself, Hamid added, explaining that the Qatari ruling family uses the country’s financial and media capabilities to ignite regional crises.
Hamid suggested closing the Gulf states’ airspace to Qatar Airways aircrafts, whose revenues are currently being used to fund political Islamic organizations. This step may force Qatar to stop funding terrorist groups and prevent it from hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Emirati writer stressed that the Gulf countries have the right to take all necessary measures to discipline those who support extremist groups across the world. Therefore, the Arab countries cannot be blamed if they use all possible means to prevent Qatar from using the Qatari people’s financial resources to serve terrorism and incite against the security of the GCC.

Hamid further added that all possible options are on the table as long Qatar continues to exacerbate conflicts among the Arab countries, finance terrorism and ally with enemies of the GCC. He pointed out that some proposed freezing Qatar's membership in the GCC and the Arab League due to its pernicious policies.