BLOCKADE: The Siege of Qatar

BLOCKADE: Siege of Qatar

One year ago, a coalition of Arab countries made up of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with and imposed a historic land, air and sea blockade on Qatar. The measures were designed to contain Doha’s interference in the Arab region and dissuade it from supporting extremist groups. Yemen, Libya, Maldives followed suit in severing ties with Qatar.

In the days and weeks following the dispute, a list of 13 demands were put forward by the blockading group for Qatar to accept in order to restore normalcy. Qatar refused to bend over to this bullying citing “it would be relinquishing our sovereignty”. This impasse has seen the major diplomatic crisis drag on, entering its second year.

IMPACT                                                                         

The blockade imposed on Qatar provoked a strong international reaction from Turkey who have vowed to stand by their “Qatari brother’s” amid crisis. The Turkish state has been proactive in Qatar for more than a year now in assisting Qatar to stand firm and resilient on this issue. Turkey has even deployed great number of troops on the ground in the slim possibility of a military confrontation with Saudi Arabia. The Turks eagerness to play the role of intermediary is through their own vested interests of becoming the new leader of the Muslim world.

US President Donald Trump seemed to be more appreciative and welcoming of this inane blockade rather than trying to resolve the crisis between Gulf Cooperation Council countries which threatens global peace and regional stability by each passing day.

Days after the blockade, cargo ships and thousands of planes loaded with food and beverages from Turkey, Iran, Oman, Morocco and India assured that there were no immediate shortages of supplies.

As the crisis continued, new trade links and flight routes were developed. The blockade also forced the Gulf state to enhance its dairy products and manufacturing of food items. The blockade has made Qatar more self-sufficient and self-reliant with regards to food, energy and production.

Qatar Airways, the country’s national airliner has taken a severe hit in its last financial year, after losing access to 18 cities in the four blockading states.

Families living on both sides have been adversely affected after the blockading group of Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini governments told their citizens to return from Qatar. Qataris living in the blockading nations were given a similar notice of two weeks to leave the country.

Kuwaiti attempts for mediation throughout the last year have failed as well.

CONSEQUENCES

As this eerie crisis unfolds, Saudi Arabia and UAE have reaffirmed their position on the matter and remain unfazed on calls by the international community to end the blockade. Infact, it was UAE’s hacking of Qatari news website and then planting a fake story that sparked the ongoing diplomatic row.

However, patriotic verve among Qatar’s nearly 3 m population has seen an upsurge over the past year, with Qatari flags and vivid portraits  of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani displayed on skyscrapers across the capital, Doha.

With no political resolution in sight, as both sides remain tangled in the deadlock. The patience is wearing thin for the Saudis and time seems to be running out for Qatar with the 2022 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, a thaw is essential for the growth and stability of the region. The dialogue between the parties remains in its fractured and impoverished state and Qatar’s contemplation over buying the S-400 missile from Russia last week has further escalated tensions with Saudis threatening military action has definitely set the cat among the pigeons. However, Qatar is stronger and united than ever before and will continue to remain defiant and steadfast.

Credits

Anant Thakur