Qatar: Arab boycott is a ‘declaration of war’

A “declaration of war without blood” has been made against Qatar by the countries which have imposed a siege on the Gulf state, Minister of State for Defence, Khaled Al-Attiyah, said yesterday.

“What can the closure of the land, sea and air borders to harm the citizens and hit the social fabric among the Gulf countries be described as?” he asked in an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

“What Qatar is being subjected to is a campaign and siege which is a declaration of war without blood.”Speaking ahead of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, due to take place in Ankara today, Al-Attiyah said: “Qatar and Turkey have historical and continuing ties, and my visit comes in the context of strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.”

Read: Qatar says it will not negotiate unless neighbours lift ‘blockade’

Adding that the Turkish military base in Qatar would be discussed during the meeting.

Reagarding Doha’s relationship with America, Al-Attiyah said: “Qatar’s relationship with the United States is a strategic one, especially in the fight against terrorism.”

The closure of the American military base in Qatar is absolutely out of the question.

“Qatar is working to help the Syrian people through its international partners, the group of friends of Syria, headed by the United States, so all that is said about financing terrorist groups is totally shameful, and it means the demonisation of Qatar,” he said.