BREAKING: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt & Bahrain cut ties with Qatar over 'terrorism support'

The four nations have also broken off all land, sea and air contacts with the Gulf state, with Saudi Arabia accusing Qatar of supporting extremism.

Bahrain blamed Qatar’s “media incitement, support for armed terrorist activities and funding linked to Iranian groups to carry out sabotage and spreading chaos in Bahrain” for its decision.

A close ally of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain was also cutting air and sea contact with Qatar and is giving its citizens 14 days to leave the country.

In contrast Bahrain and Emirates diplomats have been given only 48 hours to leave Qatar.

It is not known how that would affect Qatar Airways, one of the region’s biggest long-haul airlines.

Egypt has cut ties after accusing the Gulf Arab state of supporting “terrorist” organisations including the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s state news agency reported.

The agency added that Qatar’s policy “threatens Arab national security and sows the seeds of strife and division within Arab societies according to a deliberate plan aimed at the unity and interests of the Arab nation.”

Saudi Arabia accused Qatar of backing militant groups and spreading their violent ideology in an apparent reference to the influential state-owned satellite channel al-Jazeera.

A Saudi news agency said: “[Qatar] embraces multiple terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS and al-Qaeda, and promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly.”

A US military base is situated in Doha, Qatar. It currently houses both Qatari Air Force, US Air Force and other Coalition personnel and assets.

More to follow…