MENA Countries Sever Ties With Qatar

In Short

The Situation: Over the course of this week, nearly a dozen countries throughout the Middle East/North Africa ("MENA") region have severed diplomatic ties with and, in certain cases, imposed restrictions on Qatar.

The Result: These countries have, to varying degrees, severed or reduced diplomatic ties with Qatar, closed their airspace and borders to traffic and shipping to or from Qatar, ejected Qatari nationals and residents, and imposed limited financial restrictions.

Looking Ahead: This rift represents the most significant diplomatic dispute within the Gulf Cooperation Council since its inception, and early signs indicate that the dispute may be prolonged.

On Monday, June 5, 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya's eastern region-based government, the Maldives, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates ("UAE"), and the internationally recognized government of Yemen severed ties with Qatar, alleging Qatari support for international terrorism and regional instability. These countries were subsequently joined by the Comoros, Mauritius and Mauritania, and Jordan. As a result of this week's announcements, these countries have, to varying degrees, (i) cut or reduced diplomatic ties with Qatar; (ii) closed their airspace and borders to traffic and shipping to or from Qatar; (iii) ejected Qatari nationals and residents; and (iv) imposed limited financial restrictions.

The rift between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar represents the most significant diplomatic dispute within the Gulf Cooperation Council since its inception. Although Qatar reportedly has welcomed mediation, early signs indicate that the dispute may be prolonged.

Restrictions on Qatar

The Comoros, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, and Yemen have reduced or severed diplomatic relations with Qatar. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, in addition to severing diplomatic ties, have also imposed more expansive restrictions on Qatar, including the following.

Diplomatic Missions. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE have required Qatari diplomatic missions to leave the country within 48 hours and withdrawn their own diplomatic missions from Qatar. Qatar has also been ejected from the Saudi-led military coalition operating in Yemen.

Closure of Borders and Airspace. As of June 6, 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, to varying degrees, closed their airspace and borders to transport and shipping to and from Qatar. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and UAE closed their...