'DohaUnderSiege' twitter handle pokes fun at Qatar crisis
As Qatar continues to reel from the decision by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others to cut ties to the small Gulf nation, some people online have found humour in the crisis.
One such Twitter account, called DohaUnderSiege, pokes fun at the current situation by calling attention to the luxurious lifestyle that many Qataris and Western expatriates enjoy.
Their Twitter biography states that the owners are “expats in Qatar's five-star hotels chronicling the fallout” and have made satirical quips about expensive items being in short supply.
The Twitter handle has called the UN World Food Programme and International Coalition for Operation Inherent Resolve – the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group – to intervene and provide assistance by shipping in gluten-free granola bars and Perrier water.
The account has also spared no effort in making fun of Western expats themselves.
The Twitter handle’s operators remain unknown at this point.
US President Donald Trump took sides in a deep rift in the Arab world on Tuesday, praising Middle East countries' actions against American ally Qatar, even though the tiny Gulf state hosts the largest US air base in the region.
Trump wrote on Twitter that his recent trip to the Middle East was "already paying off" and cast an anti-Islamist speech he made in Saudi Arabia as the inspiration for a decision by Arab powers to sever ties with Qatar in protest at what they say is the Gulf nation's support for terrorism.
Qatar vehemently denies the accusations.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
