Qatar coup attempt 1996: New details revealed

An exclusive Al Jazeera documentary has uncovered evidence of the involvement of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain in supporting a foiled coup attempt to overthrow the Qatari government in 1996.
Airing for the first time on Sunday, the first episode of the investigative documentary incorporates interviews with leaders of the coup attempt who give testimony of the role of these countries played in plotting the overthrow. It also brings to light documents belonging to Saudi intelligence and the Saudi monarch about the plot.
The failed coup, dubbed "Operation Abu Ali", took place during the month of Ramadan on February 14, 1996, one year after the former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed the throne.
It was planned in conjunction with the then-police chief and cousin of the former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The documentary reveals that a committee was formed to organise the coup led by:
Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed, then chief of staff of the UAE armed forces and current crown prince of Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, then crown prince of Bahrain
Sheikh Sultan bin AbdulAziz, then Saudi minister of defence
Omar Suleiman, the late Egyptian intelligence chief and former vice president of Egypt
"A group of men were ordered to raid the house of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa and place him under siege at his home, which was on the Al Rayyan Road [in Doha]," one of the coup plotters told Al Jazeera.
While the operation was planned at 5am on February 16, 1996, those carrying out the operation were ordered by the current Emirati Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed to execute the plan two days prior to prevent the operation from being uncovered.
After taking control over military and security installations, the coup plotters were to give the green light for militias to enter Qatar from across the Saudi border.
But the planned coup d'etat was discovered and thwarted.
"If they had seized control, and if the forces had come in - whether from the UAE or the Emirates or Bahrain - they would have had no problem killing whoever they see in the street. They have nothing to lose," retired Brigadier-General Shaheen al-Sulaiti told Al Jazeera.
The airing of the documentary comes eight months into a blockade placed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, which have accused Doha of supporting "terrorism" - claims Qatar vehemently denies.
The documentary garnered many reactions on social media on the hashtag #ماخفي_اعظم - the name of the Al Jazeera Arabic programme on which the documentary aired.
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#AlJazeeraEnglish #Qatar #GulfCrisis

[@michaeldob9526]

Funny how Saudi has been showing incompetence since 1996. Also how can these people blame Iran for their own mistakes?

[@dariknour6051]

Michael Dob Iran is just that made up enemy so to cover the luting and injustice inside Saudi Arabia.

[@atharbasit9223]

these four blockading nations are insane, arrogant and ignorant down to the core.

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

Lol I ask the same to the Iranian regime. They have no accountability for there failures.

[@wackydawgcoptyltd8282]

Only during Ramadan do they do such unholy acts

[@effigyfaraj7689]

They get to be absolved at the end of the month 😋

[@kumralp]

I hope this ramadan a coup hapens in saud. Insaaaaelllaaaahhhh

[@vibhashukla2796]

These are the only holy acts they have ever done

[@Islamicpath547]

Remember Abu jahil Abu lahab

[@defundthepoliticians.1465]

How can one sell his dignity and religion?

[@sensei-gv5gd]

thats the definition of islam ahahahah

[@Rakiz7]

Just like your Syrian puppet leader no F ing different

[@defundthepoliticians.1465]

Qais Almutahr Zionism vs Arab nationalism. Simple.

[@juanmonster6232]

They worship money, but claim to worship Allay swt

[@tazboy1934]

We need to return back to Quran and sunnah

[@ichheieferit]

Only 1 state holds both as their laws.

[@bdot187um]

@@ichheieferit Indeed.

[@crazychicken8290]

​@@ichheieferit wwhich one

[@crazychicken8290]

@@bdot187um which one

[@osyanosyan112]

why saudi arabia? why uae? why Egypt? why bahrain? why do you hate so much your brother qatar? We r Muslim! shame on all of you! i wish i can turn back time to the prophet's day when we all just one in unity but now we spread out.

[@Mostafa-lb4bu]

osyan osyan I will tell you because Qatar support terroristm and USA and UK and Israel and France all of this country supports terrorism of the name of the Islam

[@Mostafa-lb4bu]

Ahmed no

[@Mostafa-lb4bu]

Ahmed you sorry I do not know what do you mean the last Massage

[@DhavalRaja1]

leave islam, no problem then. Watch apostate prophet on youtube

[@kumralp]

osyan osyan because they are a dog from the dessert

[@mapa174]

Long live Qatar

[@ahss6275]

Is there a full version of this?

[@DustuLokVanish]

They were far better under Ottomans.

[@DhavalRaja1]

Ottomans were sufis, these are sunnis.

[@mychanejhg]

No thank you

[@malgorzatamiroslawakim7187]

SHUKRAN FOR SHERING NEWS SAMAL TAK.

[@Randomyoutubevideosforyou]

Aljizar is no 1 Channel

[@rimbaapi2515]

Qatar is not dogs of the devill. Long live qatar may Aalah blessed you

[@hodanc6526]

The old guy Amir or what ever his name is wasn't ashamed that he overthrow his own father

[@UmarKhan-hc1kt]

Hodan C because he lived lavishly and vacationed in europe whereas his people were living under poverty thats why he overthrew his father and it became the richest country in the world

[@tarekfarmer8025]

Why not a documentary on the qatari coup by son to his father the emir, that will be a bold step in showing al jazeera is neutrality.

[@bdot187um]

tarek e they can't ....

[@fahad7068]

‘Qatar alleges’ ? How condescending AJ

[@mouzamouza5608]

better to make documentary about hamed coup attempt against his father!!!

[@agafoorsyed]

Jealousy is a big factor. Whether you meet the commoner incompetent Saudis or their masters, they are all jealous of competent and successful ppl.

[@VWdiddy]

The Qatar/Saudi spat looks like controlled misdirection.

[@AzzrudinJamil]

The successor will be Sheikh Emir Wizz bin Khalifa

[@mcraemctaggart4396]

Stay strong Qatar, the Saudi’s must be kept in check.

[@harrisabdullah3079]

Ok now i can understsnd Muhammed "bin salman" clearly.

[@saadmahimi7537]

Banu Tamim shall never fall ! And it will never fall as BANU TAMIM was beloved to Prophet PBUH. And Thani family are part of Banu Tamim

[@Sksk27547]

Hahaha the thumbnail is hilarious

[@patrickrea3847]

Stop fighting and help the widows and orphans.

[@ilgentile5454]

Is a coup on a coup, a coup ?

[@MohamedB614]

Those countries should be ashamed of what they are doing and have done! The whole world sees what you are doing. And the worst thing is Kushner and trump will not be here long for you!

[@shariqayaz7631]

Woah came to know about for the first time....but its better to heal the wounded ties between neighbouring countries rather than rooting out the old quarrels..otherwise its a mutual problem for all

[@scorpioninpink]

Qatar tried to forget even though they were the one who is being threatened but how did the neighbor responds? They put blockade to Qatar and is even threatening to invade them.

[@shariqayaz7631]

scorpioninpink cant agree more...but now the saudi's are really unpredictable..MBS can b either too brutal for the middleeast or can b fruitful to amend middle east crisis...Qatar need to act soon and prove their stronghold in the region

[@wayneblake3186]

GWBUSH IS THE WIZARD!

[@Pushpul.Pandey.PP007]

God bless the Qataris...and Sheikh Tameem....Qatar will be on safe side...Just befriend Israel....and have Open Relationship with Israel..and cut of all connections with Hamas and like minded Terrorist Organization's

[@QnAAs89]

you should be appointed as the foreign minister of Qatar LOL

[@BrandonStarkLordofWinterfell]

Befriend Israel you said well that not a good idea at all

[@PC-pb6do]

@@QnAAs89good one

[@jasonblakes]

Same Saudis, Emiratis, Egyptians and Bahraini are still causing catastrophe in the Middle East. They are the root of evil . Long live Qatar. I love and respect their leadership for understanding the current challenges and acting accordingly.

[@zzz-wx7jr]

You deceived by ikhwani

[@YFi-Pk]

Qattar must also evacuate the military base given to mfs US ... That will be their biggest achievement

[@patrickrea3847]

They have sovernty like he said.

[@muawiyahm5152]

This is a such a reach 😂😂😂😂 straight propaganda where was this documentary in 2007?

[@mashoqali8231]

Shame on you

[@amazingvideos1700]

Turkey deployed troops overnight in Qatar and save Qatar from Israel allies KSA UAE Egypt

[@flowersflower110]

Alzazera always tells truth?

[@Zizu.xy1]

How😅

[@diannesabanal5293]

ok atempt that key 🔓🔑 open quatar more peoples nice country quatar 🇧🇭

[@robertpeston6692]

Support Qatar from Russia

[@suffruss8842]

Slap a Qatari if you see one !

[@tysals1]

Suff Russ why we didn’t do anything to u how old are u?(2)!

[@imran4006]

Saudi is guilty of that with Qatar with which it accuses Iran of. Make Peace!

[@muhammadjamal908]

Long live the State of Qatar ❤ Love and respect from Pakistan 🇵🇰❤🇶🇦

[@aggressive9999]

Behen k lode

[@hassanahmed3218]

Never trust saudi america 🤤🤤🤤

[@CNASIR-tt5oc]

I’m proud that Somalia didn’t stand with saudis again Qatar. They would lose their support of UAE 🇦🇪 then turn on their bothers Qatar 🇶🇦

[@zak.886]

Carabta waxay yihiin cadowga soomaalida

[@hardcoresalafist4189]

Shacabka carabed miyad cadow kutahda mise. Shaqsiyadka dowlada carabed...yaa islamnida kukene carab mise cadan

[@zak.886]

@@hardcoresalafist4189 dowlada sacuudiga, dubay iyo wadamaha kale baa kuwa xun taageero,.

[@CNASIR-tt5oc]

Shacabka carabtu awood ba Malaha ee waxaan kahadlayaa maamulka carabta. Sideeduba carabtu way yasaan Somalida Waxay U arkaad dad jaanjaamina wayna yaraystaan.

[@AhmedMehluf]

I think now@aljazeera is not legit.

[@ksa_1325.]

Unfortunately Hamad betrayed his father to obey his wife 🍌🍌🍌

[@jericsonsalvacion2925]

Its 2023 and the news about king sheik wtf happen to this world monarchy should be abolish all monarchy are corrupt

[@aqiri777]

Now I know...why even the the security guard holding a long rifle..because of this..God bless Qatar..

[@mohamedjama1341]

Allah is the best planner.

[@rajendrankulvel3093]

Al Jazeera is fantastic. Qatar is great.

[@BarsatKarki]

Cutterr...

[@somaliano99kingkonghimself75]

Saudi arebia is no match for Iran. Belief. Me. 🤣😂😂

[@markspenceralsuadsalmansul8526]

King of all world all countries including Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 in 1996 and again in 1.3.2012 facts. I was working with Military’s, Sony for the game gangs of London on PSP in 1996 facts.

[@asnakechmulat6505]

No comepline no my this idiea so verry Happy good night all time

[@JamePinotes]

The best country who solve everyone's rights.

[@debrablasus6573]

Wow. World divided enough. They need to be United not this stuff.

[@patrickrea3847]

There fighting umungst themselves they can't leave anyone alone look how much this country has done.

[@mushfiqurrahman1945]

i searched how to memorize the Qur'an faster and youtube bring me here -._-.

[@MohammedAli-vt7gm]

2030 vision

[@Taha-dj4ly]

I'm watching this on 27th day of ramzan

[@prongednebula]

Just primitive tribal disputes among primitive tribal theocratic monarchies, Bedouins will always remain how they are despite wealth.

[@hodanc6526]

Banadura in my country we say it is easy to wear a city clothes but it hard to be city person

[@navyindian2080]

Qatar Rulers are great People and support Free speech, Human Rights. They are democratic/ liberal thinking and moving with times.

[@lagahare7934]

Where can we find the full documentary?

[@adamabdullah7384]

SOMALIA stands with Qatar in complete justice Saudis Bahrainis emiratis mind your own business U.S and U.K are your partners

[@indianindian8045]

🇶🇦Qatar ❤️❤️❤️🇮🇳

[@AhmedHasan-bm3ub]

Muslim ummah have to be active.. Educated or illiterate.. All must raise their voice for their political status..