Qatar expresses `` regret and surprise '' at the decision . The GCC , formed in 1981 , consists of Saudi Arabia , Qatar , Kuwait , Bahrain , the United Arab Emirates and Oman . Saudia Arabia , UAE , Bahrain announced the unprecedented move in joint statement . The announcement came after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and other Gulf states cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism by funding extremist groups including Al - Qaeda and Islamic State Tensions between Qatar and other Gulf countries have increased in recent years .
Qatar expresses `` regret and surprise '' at the decision . Saudia Arabia , UAE , Bahrain announced the unprecedented move in joint statement . The announcement came after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and other Gulf states cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism by funding extremist groups including Al - Qaeda and Islamic State Tensions between Qatar and other Gulf countries have increased in recent years .