Yemen is the latest Arab country to join Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt in cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar, amid the escalating political rift in the GCC.

The move is in response to Qatar’s pro-coup practices and supporting extremist groups in Yemen, that contradict the goals agreed by the coalition-member countries in support of Yemen legitimacy, according to a statement from the Yemeni government published by the Bahrain News Agency.

The announcement follows the termination of Qatar’s participation in the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition that has been undertaking military operations in Yemen since March 2015.

“The leadership of the Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen… has decided to end the participation of the state of Qatar in the coalition because of its practices that promote terrorism and its support in Yemen [for groups] including Al-Qaeda and Daad, and its dealings with the coup militias in Yemen,” according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency earlier on Monday.

The Yemeni government affirmed that the coalition participants will continue to make efforts to achieve the security and stability of the Yemeni people, and to support the legitimacy and to restore the sovereignty of the Yemeni State.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain had already severed diplomatic links with Qatar on 5 June, accusing Doha of meddling in regional affairs and supporting terrorism.

Tensions rose between Qatar and the rest of the GCC bloc in May, when Qatar’s state news agency quoted the country’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as criticising renewed tensions with Tehran and suggesting US President Donald Trump might not “last long in power”.

The comments were immediately denied by Doha.

In a 5 June statement, Qatar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed regret over the decision of GCC states and Egypt’s move to close their borders and airspace and cut off diplomatic relations over “baseless allegations”.

“Qatar is an active member of the GCC and adheres to its charter, respects the sovereignty of other countries, does not interfere in its internal affairs, and carries out its duties in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” the statement in Arabic, carried by the Qatar News Agency, said. “The Qatari government will take all necessary measures to ensure this and to thwart attempts to influence and harm the Qatari society and economy.”