Report: UAE Hacked Qatar Government, Social Media Websites

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) led an attempt to hack the social media and government news websites in Qatar, although it is not known if they had a direct connection to the hacks or if outside help was used, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed in May that the UAE government discussed a plan to breach Qatar government websites, according to the Post.

False statements on the website called Iran an Islamic power and spoke positively about the militant group Hamas. The statements caused a diplomatic crisis in the region when the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain said the country supported terrorism.

President Donald Trump has worked to promote better relations with Saudi Arabia, and said last month Qatar supported terrorist activity.

"The nation of Qatar has, unfortunately, been a funder of terrorism, and at a very high level," Trump said.

The U.S. and Qatar signed an agreement earlier this month to begin efforts to form a counterterrorism plan.

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