Jordan: Government downgrades diplomatic ties with Qatar June 6

Event

On Tuesday, June 6, the government announced that it will downgrade its diplomatic ties with Qatar and revoke the TV license for Al Jazeera, Qatar's state-owned media network. The move follows Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya’s eastern-based government, and the Maldives cutting diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday, June 5 due to accusations of Qatar supporting terrorism.

According to a spokesman for the Jordanian government, Mohammed al-Momani, the decision was made following an investigation into the root causes of the political crisis between Qatar and the other Arab states. Al-Momani also stated that the decision is intended to provide policy coordination with other Arab countries and regional stability. He did not state the extent to which diplomatic ties with Qatar will be downgraded.

Context

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt announced that they would halt air, sea, and land travel to and from Qatar in a series of coordinated statements. Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and FlyDubai, have all announced the indefinite suspension of flights to Qatar starting Tuesday, June 6. The three gulf states gave Qatari visitors and residents two weeks to leave. Several prominent Gulf and Egyptian businessmen have urged investors to withdraw from Qatar, and the price of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), of which Qatar is a major supplier has fallen sharply. Qatar was also expelled from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

Gulf Arab states, Egypt, and Jordan have long resented Qatar's alleged support for groups such as the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic State (IS), among others. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused the country of broadcasting militant ideology, a reference to Al Jazeera. Qatar allegedly used Al Jazeera to promote the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, a move which threatened many of the Gulf monarchies, and fueled the overthrow of the then Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak.

Qatar has also been heavily criticized for forging a relationship with Iran, considered by many Arab countries as a dangerous enemy.

Advice

Individuals are advised to remain informed on the situation.