‘Unjustified escalation’

Manama : Bahrain yesterday refuted the allegations made by Qatar that military aircraft belonging to the United Arab Emirates violated its airspace.

In a memorandum filed  to the UN Security Council, Kingdom’s mission to the United Nations in New York, citing radar recordings, told the Council yesterday that the United Arab Emirates aircraft didn’t violate Qatari airspace and was on a committed flight path to Bahrain. 

Radar footages delivered to the UN Council showed that the UAE aircraft was flying away from Qatari airspace and that Qatar violated international law by intercepting the UAE
aircraft.

This, Bahrain said, is “an irresponsible and unjustified escalation by Qatar.”

Bahrain also called upon the State of Qatar to respect international law and to abide by the principles of good neighbourliness and not to repeat such unacceptable acts which endanger the lives of innocent civilians and threaten international peace and security.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation told UN Security Council, in a briefing, that the UAE military aircraft accused by Doha of violating Qatari airspace was flying over the UAE airspace over a training zone acknowledged by the two countries and that its mission did not last more than 30 seconds. 

Gulf News reported that the meeting, which included presentations and a short video by the GCAA and the UAE Armed Forces, showed radar footage documenting in real time the two separate incidents of interception of two military cargo aircraft that were flying over the Arabian Gulf by Qatari Mirage fighters.  

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, reportedly said at the briefing that the actions by the Qatari aircraft against the UAE aircraft and the international air safety showed clearly that the authorities in Qatar are determined to escalate the situation.

Dr Gargash also Tweeted on Wednesday that the UAE’s response to Qatar’s jets intercepting two Emirati civilian aircraft will be “balanced and legal”. 

“There are two explanations for the developments in the Qatar crisis and the exposure of the civilian planes. First, it is Qatar’s increased concern and confusion, and second, it was a desperate attempt in fear of marginalisation,” Dr Anwar Gargash tweeted.

“Our response will be balanced and legal, and our goal is the safety of the region and the passengers.”