Al-Jazeera under cyberattack 'on all systems'

Published June 8, 2017
The logo of Al Jazeera Media Network is seen on its headquarters building in Doha, Qatar June 8.— Reuters
The logo of Al Jazeera Media Network is seen on its headquarters building in Doha, Qatar June 8.— Reuters

Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera said Thursday that it was under a widescale cyber attack which had targeted “all systems”, according to a statement released on social media by the broadcaster.

“Al Jazeera Media Network under cyber attack on all systems, websites & social media platforms,” it said on Twitter.

The attack was also confirmed by a source at Al-Jazeera, who said the broadcaster was attempting to repel the hack.

“An attempt has been made, and we are trying to battle it,” said the source.

Following the initial reports of a cyber attack, some viewers in the region said they could no longer receive Al-Jazeera television.

Al-Jazeera, one of the largest news organisations in the world, has long been a source of conflict between Qatar and its neighbours, who accuse the broadcaster of bias and fomenting trouble in the region.

The alleged cyber attack comes during a time of heightened tensions in the Gulf, which has seen Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain and other allies cut ties with Qatar.

They severed relations over what they said is Doha's alleged financing of extremist groups and its ties to Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional arch-rival.

Long-running tensions broke out into the open last month after Qatar claimed its state news site was hacked by unknown parties who posted “false” statements attributed to the emir in which he speaks favourably of Iran and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The remarks were widely reported as true across the region.

Earlier this month, Qatar said the FBI was helping it investigate the source of the alleged hacking. Subsequently, there was a media report suggesting that Qatar had been targeted by Russian hackers — a claim dismissed by Moscow.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...