UAE behind Qatar hacks: report
Abu Dhabi orchestrated cyber offensive that led to ongoing diplomatic row, Washington Post reports
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was behind a series of hacks that sparked regional discord and isolated Qatar from its neighbors, according to a media report Sunday.
Abu Dhabi orchestrated the cyber offensive, hacking Qatar's state-run news and social media sites "to post incendiary false quotes attributed to Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani", the Washington Post reported based on information it said was provided by anonymous U.S. intelligence officials
The cyber campaign ultimately resulted
Since June 5, Qatar has been under a land, sea and air blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt,
The hacks took place nearly two weeks earlier on May 24, one day after senior Emirati officials allegedly discussed the plan.
The hacked reports said Qatar's emir called Iran an "Islamic power", and heaped praise on Palestine's Hamas organization, among other controversial claims.
The comments prompted the Saudi-led bloc to ban all Qatari media before ultimately severing ties with Doha.
UAE denies reports on hacking Qatari state media
“The UAE had no role whatsoever in the alleged hacking described in the article,” according to the statement.
Throughout the
Trump, however, has firmly sided with Riyadh and its allies, calling Qatar a "high level" supporter of terrorism.
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