Saudi Arabia Lays Siege to Qatar, Sending People Panicking to the Store for Food

What is Saudi Arabia’s end game here? By closing the only land border available to Qatar, essentially, they’re attempting to starve out the desert Kingdom.

#Qatar's diplomatic crisis is already threatening its economy and could impact food supply. #ABCTheWorld's @AuskarSurbakti has the details. pic.twitter.com/WOS55MpuAv

— ABC News (@abcnews) June 5, 2017

More than 40% of their food comes by land via Saudi Arabia. With the borders closed and the House of Saud closing both sea and airspace to Qatar, the people in Qatar have begun to panic, sending them racing to the grocery store for supplies.

Source: RT

As a desert state, Qatar produces less than ten percent of the food consumed by its people, according to research last year. In 2012, the country imported 99.5 percent of cereals, 83.4 percent of vegetables, 86 percent of fruit, 93.6 percent of meats, 95 percent of beans, and 100 percent of edible oil.

If forced to import food via sea or air, food inflation will be an immediate concern. This action by Saudi Arabia is an act of war, using siege tactics.

Due to the tension in #Qatar people are stocking the food. Supermarkets are litteraly getting emptied. pic.twitter.com/p2VM3pr2AF

— Sham (@ShamGKumar) June 5, 2017

Doha panicked residents rush to stock up on food anticipating fresh food shortage in Supermarkets & other outlets #Qatar #QatarCrisis pic.twitter.com/EENsf3lxus

— Shaik Hamdan (@shaik99) June 5, 2017

Stores are busy enough in #Doha, #Qatar during Ramadan. But #Saudi border closures and looming food shortages are an even crazier scene pic.twitter.com/Me3KgLryTD

— Allison Furlong (@AllisonFurlong) June 5, 2017

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