This has forced many Qatari farm owners, who keep their cattle in Saudi Arabia during winter months for grazing and breeding, to try to shift the animals back across the border.

​ Watch now (Arabic): Thousands of camels have been stranded

without shelter [The New Arab]

But with highly restricted border opening hours, only a few hundred can cross each day, and animals stranded at the closed border are dying of thirst or untreated injuries.

The emergency shelter, on the Qatari side of the border, is equipped with water tanks and life-saving food for the camels and sheep that have made it across so far.

At least 25,000 camels and sheep are understood to have broken the blockade, returning safely into Qatar - but thousands more are expected at the border in the coming days.



Doha's Ministry of Municipality and Environment has also set up a team of drivers, animal experts and other staff to help camel owners.

Videos and photos posted on social media showing huge caravans of camels crossing the desert border have sparked outrage.

Translation: I am not surprised at the expulsion of Qatar's camels from Saudi Arabia. I am actually surprised that people are surprised. Those who did not show mercy for human beings will not care about cattle for god’s sake!

Translation: The Saudis did not only expel Qataris during their pilgrimage, but also expelled their camels! Outrageous.

On 5 June, Saudi Arabia and allied states cut all ties with Qatar, closing its only land border, banning planes from their airspace and barring Qatari nationals from pasing through their airports.

They accused Qatar of allegedly supporting and funding "terrorism" and working with regional rival Iran - charges Doha vehemently denies.

The decision has disrupted disrupted trade, split families and raised fears of military confrontation in the Gulf region.

An emaciated camel receives some of the emergency supplies delivered by Doha [The New Arab]

This camel was part-way through giving birth when she succumbed to the harsh conditions [The New Arab]

Her calf did not survive the ordeal of birth [The New Arab]













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