UAE Behind Qatar Media Hacking: US Intelligence

The United Arab Emirates reportedly was behind the hacking of Qatari websites in late May which led to boycotting of the nation by Saudi-led group of countries.

The UAE hacked the websites or paid for getting them hacked (which is still unclear) in order to post false quotes linked to Qatar's emir, prompting the Qatar-Gulf diplomatic crisis, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing US intelligence officials.

UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef al-Otaiba denied the report in a statement, saying it was "false," Al Jazeera Quoted the Post report.

"What is true is Qatar’s behaviour. Funding, supporting, and enabling extremists from the Taliban to Hamas and Qadafi. Inciting violence, encouraging radicalisation, and undermining the stability of its neighbours," the statement said.

The Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had been falsely quoted in May as praising Hamas and saying that Iran was an "Islamic power," the Post reported. In response, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of supporting "terrorism". Qatar strongly denies the allegations.

Qatar said in late May that hackers had posted fake remarks by the emir, an explanation rejected by Gulf states.