Qatar detains over 300 for sharing footage and information amid Iranian attacks

Doha — Qatari authorities have arrested 313 individuals for distributing images and what officials described as "misleading information" during a period of Iranian attacks, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior released on Monday.

The Ministry indicated that those detained had "filmed and circulated video clips and published misleading information and rumours that could stir public opinion." The arrests were carried out by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes, which operates under the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The individuals taken into custody are of "various nationalities," the ministry added.

The measures in Qatar are part of a broader regional response as Iran has targeted airports, military bases, energy installations, and residential areas with daily drone and missile strikes. The Qatari government’s actions mirror similar steps taken in neighboring Gulf countries in recent days.

In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry reported on Friday that four people were arrested for "filming and broadcasting clips about the effects of Iranian attacks and spreading false news." Meanwhile, authorities in Kuwait announced on Saturday that three individuals had been detained in connection with related activities.

The Qatari Interior Ministry’s statement did not specify the exact content of the footage or information shared, nor did it provide details on the nationalities of those arrested. However, the ministry emphasized that the dissemination of such material could potentially influence public sentiment during a sensitive period marked by ongoing regional security concerns.

These developments come as Gulf states implement strict measures to control the flow of information and maintain public order amid heightened tensions resulting from Iran’s military actions in the region.