Qatar threats to assassinate Saudi Royal figures

CAIRO – 5 June 2017: Leading Qatari media figure Abdullah Al Athbah has warned Saudi Arabia that this not the right time for it to be seeking victory over Qatar.

Speaking on Al Jazeera, Athbah reiterated claims that recent statements made by Qatari leader Tamim Bin Hammad Al Thani had been fabricated.

Tensions between Gulf states and Qatar have heightened since the Qatari news agency in late May published a statement reportedly quoting Al Thani warning four Arab countries (Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain) that “being hostile to Iran is unwise.”

Gulf states suspended talks with Qatar and reconciliation efforts have since broken down. In recent developments, well-informed Gulf sources revealed that Kuwait too has decided to suspend its endeavors to contain the Qatari-Gulf crisis or resume any future mediation with Doha.

The sources also claimed that Qatar has warm relations with Israel, alleging that Hamas is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and championing Iran as part of the Islamic world and a political heavyweight in the region.

But the real reason stoking Gulf anger at Doha, the sources revealed, is a Qatari scheme to recruit, support and fund terrorist elements to assassinate Saudi Royal prominent figures.

Qatari outrage at Saudi Arabia, they went on to report, increased after the visit paid by U.S. President Donald Trump to Riyadh where King Salman and President Trump agreed to combat terrorism and stem its financial resources.

Qatar allegedly funds popular mobilization forces in Iraq and Houthis in Yemen in efforts to threaten the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the sources alleged.

Two months ago, King Salman survived an assassination attempt in Malaysia during a trip to Asia, the sources maintained.