The redemption of $1 billion: an outrageous deal that infuriated Qatar’s rivals

World News Nilgun Salim
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The state of Qatar paid up nearly $1 billion as redemption for the release of several royal family members kidnapped in Iraq during a hunting session, according to the Financial Times, quoting sources involved in the deal.

According to the same source, the scenario contributed at the dramatic decision adopted by several Arab states to cut off all diplomatic ties with Doha.

Commanders of several militant groups involved in the process and government officials from the region revealed the Financial Times that Qatar paid the huge amount in order to secure the release of 26 members taken during a hunting expedition from southern Iraq and 50 militants captured by jihadists in Syria.

According to these testimonies, Doha paid this redemption to two different groups: an al-Qaeda affiliate militant organization from Syria and to a group of Iranian security officials.

The controversial deal was consumed earlier in April, and it was labeled by the other Arab states as a method to finance terrorism in an area marked by multiple conflicts and religious rivalries.

In response to Qatar’s actions, on Monday morning, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Yemen and Maldives – took the extraordinary decision to cut off all diplomatic ties with the State of Qatar, under the direct charge of funding extremism and terrorism in the Orient.

‘This huge sum paid as redemption was the last drop that filled the glass.’, a political commentator quoted by the London publication stated.

The Qatar administration, obviously denied every single accusation.