APNewsBreak: US military halts exercises over Qatar crisis

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The U.S. military says it has halted some exercises with Gulf countries over the ongoing diplomatic crisis targeting Qatar.

U.S. Central Command tells The Associated Press on Friday: "We are opting out of some military exercises out of respect for the concept of inclusiveness and shared regional interests."

Col. John Thomas, a Central Command spokesman, added in a statement: "We will continue to encourage all partners to work together toward the sort of common solutions that enable security and stability in the region."

The crisis, which began June 5, has seen four Arab countries allied with the U.S. launch a boycott of Qatar, home to a major American military base.

Those four Arab countries include Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.