Saudi Arabia, via their new Arab state alliance, has just given Qatar a list of really big demands and only ten days to comply with the list.
Here are the conditions first:
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut ties to Qatar this month over allegations that the country funds “terrorism” – an accusation that Qatar denies.
Those countries have now given Qatar 10 days to comply with all of the demands…
If Qatar agrees to comply, the list asserts that it will be audited once a month for the first year, and then once per quarter in the second year after it takes effect.
For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.
The document does not specify what the countries will do if Qatar refuses to comply.
Now here’s the list of the 13 items, via the AP:
— Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from Qatar and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran. Only trade and commerce with Iran that complies with U.S. and international sanctions will be permitted.
— Sever all ties to “terrorist organizations,” specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic State group, al-Qaida, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.
— Shut down Al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
— Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye.
— Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence currently in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar.
— Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organizations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the United States and other countries.
— Hand over “terrorist figures” and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.
— End interference in sovereign countries’ internal affairs. Stop granting citizenship to wanted nationals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Revoke Qatari citizenship for existing nationals where such citizenship violates those countries’ laws.
— Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over all files detailing Qatar’s prior contacts with and support for those opposition groups.
— Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar’s policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.
— Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically, as well as on economic matters, in line with an agreement reached with Saudi Arabia in 2014.
— Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid. The document doesn’t specify what the countries will do if Qatar refuses to comply.
— Consent to monthly audits for the first year after agreeing to the demands, then once per quarter during the second year. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.
I honestly don’t think there is any way the Qataris will agree to this, at least not the big items at the top.
With this list of demands, these Arab nations have just made an enemy out of Turkey. First of all, they call for Qatar to sever ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is in the DNA of both Qatar and Turkey. It’s who they are. Heck, even the religious head of the Muslim Brotherhood lives there, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. And remember how angry Erdogan got at Egypt when el-Sisi ousted Muslim Brotherhood President Morsi? He’s still angry about it wants Morsi back in power.
But if that’s not enough, they also ask Qatar to sever military ties with Turkey. It’s obvious why the Saudis are doing this, because they don’t want the Turkish military right next door to them. It’s strategic. But Turkey and Qatar are best buds – not to mention the fact that Turkey has just stepped in to help Qatar by sending them food and supplies. There’s no way this relationship is going to end.
They also want Al-Jazeera shut down. Ha! Fat chance.
As I said, I think Qatar will largely ignore this list and call out the bluff of Saudi and the Arab nations. What will they do if Qatar doesn’t comply? Attack Qatar? I seriously doubt that, not with thousands of Turkish troops now stationed in Qatar. Also Iran would likely get involved too.
I think more than anything this Arab nation separation with Qatar is going to force Turkey and Iran to align much closer together and that will be a new alliance in the Middle East,
And if you’ve read Ezekiel 38, then you know this alliance between the Turks and the Persians (among other nations) does exist as they invade Israel together.
Signs of the times!