Qatar-based TV channel Al Jazeera has claimed all its systems, websites and social media accounts have been hit by a cyberattack.
The company said it was experiencing “systematic and continual hacking attempts” which were “gaining intensity and taking various forms”.
But a senior employee told the Reuters news agency the international broadcaster is “combatting” the onslaught and all its systems are still “operational”.
The claim of a cyberattack comes as Qatar is embroiled in a row with fellow Arab states over allegations it supports terrorism.
Al Jazeera is owned by Qatar’s government and funded by the Gulf state’s ruling Al Thani family, prompting accusations it is used to promote the country’s soft power around the world.
The broadcaster has often proved an irritant to its fellow states in the region, with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – leading actors in the ongoing diplomatic spat – all blocking Al Jazeera’s website in their countries last month.
The three countries, as well as Yemen and Bahrain, this week accused Doha of destabilising the region by backing extremist groups, including Islamic State.
The five states have broken off diplomatic ties with Qatar and halted all land, air and sea traffic to the country in a coordinated move.
Qatari citizens living in any of the five territories have been given two weeks to leave. More follows…
