The New York Times on Sunday debunked information spread by official Saudi media outlets a day earlier claiming Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) expressed support for Qatar in the Gulf crisis.
The US publication said the ISIL statement aiming to link Qatar to terrorism was “apparently fake”.
It was not the first time Qatar was targeted by spreading misinformation.
Last month, Dubai TV aired a false report claiming anti-government demonstrations took place in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and alleged troops – including soldiers from Turkey – fired tear gas at protesters.
The media attacks come amid a dispute between Qatar and its neighbours – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain – as well as Egypt.
The quartet cut diplomatic ties with Doha on June 5 and imposed an air, sea and land blockade on Qatar – accusing it of supporting Iran and “extremists” in the region.
Qatar strongly denies the allegations.
The Gulf crisis kicked off in May following the hacking of Qatar News Agency’s website, when comments falsely attributed to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were broadcast by both UAE-based broadcasters Sky News Arabia and Al Arabiya.
The networks went big with the news, inviting guests to dissect and condemn the reported speech.
