The United Arab Emirates has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood and local affiliates as terrorist groups, state news agency WAM reported on Saturday citing a cabinet decree.
The Arab state of the Persian Gulf has also designated Nusra Front and the IS, whose fighters are battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as terrorist organizations.
Saturday’s move echoes a similar move by Saudi Arabia in March and could increase pressure on Qatar whose backing for the Brotherhood has sparked a row with fellow Persian Gulf monarchies.
It also underscores concern in the US-allied oil producer about the influence of the group, whose doctrines challenge the principle of dynastic rule.
The UAE has also designated al-Islah group, which is a local group banned in the UAE for its alleged link to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, as a terrorist group.
UAE authorities have cracked down on members of al-Islah and jailed scores of people convicted of forming an illegal branch of the Brotherhood. Al-Islah denies any such link, but says it shares some of the Brotherhood’s ideology.
In an unprecedented public move, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recalled their ambassadors to Qatar in March, accusing Doha of failing to abide by an agreement not to interfere in one another’s internal affairs.
