Saudi, UAE Block Al-Jazeera, Qatari Dailies Websites

International

Saudi and Emirati authorities have blocked access to the website of Doha-based and state-funded al-Jazeera Arabic news channel after statements attributed to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on sensitive regional topics sparked a dispute among Gulf states, according to Press TV.

On Wednesday, the website of al-Jazeera broadcaster was not accessible in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The website and Twitter accounts of official Qatar News Agency, al-Jazeera Documentary channel, al-Jazeera English news channel, Arabic-language and political newspaper al-Watan, semi-official al-Raya newspaper, al-Arab daily as well as Arabic and pro-government al-Sharq daily were also inaccessible in both countries during the day.

 At the same time, Al-Jazeera television network was unavailable for some time in the UAE, though it was unclear if it was blocked on purpose.

The developments came a day after Qatar’s state-run news agency ran a story, saying the small and gas-rich kingdom had ordered its ambassadors from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates withdrawn over “tension” with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The article, quoting the Qatari monarch, also called Iran an “Islamic power” and praised the Hamas movement as “the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry later claimed that its state agency had been hacked and the emir’s statements had been forged.

Sheikh Saif Bin Ahmed Al Thani, the director of the Qatari government’s communications office, also issued a statement, saying authorities had launched an investigation.

Earlier, Doha had claimed it had been the victim of an orchestrated smear campaign by  what it called anti-Qatar organizations.

H.M

You might also like
feature

Polyansky: Israel and Ukraine are waging a war against humanity

International

Granting green light to Israeli settlers to raid Al-Aqsa Mosque in big numbers a…

International

Dozens of settlers storm Al-Aqsa

International

Pushlin Foreign ships in the port of Mariupol return to their countries

Latest news
Muslim World League Welcomes EU’s Lifting of Sanctions on Syria as a Positive Step Forward Restoration Project of the Cultural Stairway Launched in Lattakia privince Syrian-Jordanian Agreement on Unified Fees… and 11 Weekly Flights to Damascus Jordanian Foreign Minister: My Visit to Damascus Was Fruitful Minister of Local Administration and Environment Discusses Cooperation with Swiss Mission in Damascu... Damascus Chamber of Commerce: lifting economic sanctions is a positive step toward rebuilding bridge... Jordanian Delegation to Visit Syria Next Week to Explore Economic and Investment Cooperation U.S. Secretary of State: Action must be taken at the congressional level to develop the private sect... Syrian , Turkish Defense Officials Discuss Enhancing Cooperation to Support Regional Stability Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance: A Stable and Prosperous Syria Is a Major Gain for the Regi... Minister of Education Discusses Support for Education Sector with UK Minister for the Middle East Minister of Health Discusses Opportunities for Joint Cooperation with Head of Global Development at ... Syria , Jordan Sign MoU to Establish High Coordination Council Press conference for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Al-Sheibani and his Jordanian count... UN , Saudi Arabia Sign Agreement to Rehabilitate Bakeries in Syria Minister of Health meets a number of his counterparts in Geneva Syria is among the world's top 10 pistachio-producing countries Foreign Minister Al-Sheibani Receives a  High-Level Jordanian Delegation in Damascus to Establish Jo... Kallas: We hope the EU will reach a decision today to lift sanctions on Syria Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi Visits Damascus at the Head of a High-Level Ministerial Dele...