Qatar crisis: latest developments

Led by Saudi Arabia, several states in the Middle East and Africa have severed ties with Qatar since June 5, accusing the gas-rich Gulf state of supporting terrorism and Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

A commemorative signing wall with an artwork depicting Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is seen outside Qatar Airways' building in Doha, Qatar, July 13, 2017.
TRT World and Agencies

A commemorative signing wall with an artwork depicting Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is seen outside Qatar Airways' building in Doha, Qatar, July 13, 2017.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and several other Sunni-majority countries have severed relations with Qatar since June 5, accusing the Gulf state of supporting terrorism based on its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and the Taliban.

Another point of departure is Qatar's ties with Iran, with whom it shares one of the world's biggest gas fields.

Qatar has denied the accusations and called the collective decision "unjustified." Kuwait, Turkey and the US have all urged a political solution as the bloc isolates Qatar using various ad hoc sanctions, including shutting down their airspace to Qataris and blocking import routes.

The dispute began in May when Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani was reported to have made statements on the state news agency supporting Iran. Doha said the statements were fabricated and disseminated via a hack.

Here are the latest developments in the crisis:

July 13, Thursday

Tillerson arrives in Doha to brief the country's emir

The US' top diplomat Rex Tillerson arrived in Qatar on Thursday for more talks with the country's 37-year-old emir, a day after wrapping up discussions with the king of Saudi Arabia and other officials from Arab countries lined up against Qatar.

Tillerson's travels have so far not led to any signs of a breakthrough in an increasingly entrenched dispute that has divided some of America's most important Middle Eastern allies.

Tillerson meets Kuwait's foreign minister before heading off to Qatar

Tillerson met with Kuwait's foreign minister and US embassy staff on Thursday morning before jetting off to Qatar.

Tillerson ended talks with ministers from Saudi Arabia and three Arab allies on Wednesday over how to end a month-long rift with Qatar, but there was no immediate word of any breakthrough.

He returned to Kuwait, the mediator between the feuding Gulf countries, without making any statement on his talks in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah.

For more on previous developments, click here.

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