Qatar informs UN of three air violations by UAE, Bahrain

Qatar has informed the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General of three violations of Qatar's airspace by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The message was handed over by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council president for March Karel van Oosterom."A UAE military transport aircraft violated the airspace of Qatar on January 14. Another UAE C-130 military transport aircraft violated Qatari airspace on February 25. On February 28 , a Bahraini military aircraft flew into the exclusive economic zone of the State of Qatar," the message said.It said the Bahraini aircraft was flying over Qatar's exclusive economic zone without prior diplomatic authorisation from the concerned authorities in Qatar. "An immediate flight order was issued for a warning aircraft cabin, prompting the Bahraini aircraft to leave the country's exclusive economic zone."Qatar said the continued air violations by the UAE and Bahrain and their violations of Qatari sovereignty were serious breach and flagrant violations of international law. "The State of Qatar warned against the continued attempts by the two countries to ignite incidents that would increase tension in the region and without regard to Qatar's security and stability."The Government of Qatar has called upon the Security Council and the United Nations to take the necessary measures under the Charter of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security.In the message the Government of Qatar affirmed its commitment to exercise the highest degree of restraint, abide by the Charter of the United Nations and promote good-neighbourly relations. "It strongly condemns and rejects any breach of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reserves the full right to respond to any violations in line with its sovereign right, in accordance with the provisions of international law. It reaffirms that it will take the necessary measures to defend its borders, airspace and sea and its national security, in accordance with international laws and regulations," the message added.Qatar has also informed the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General that a UAE naval ship kidnapped a Qatari fishing boat carrying eight people on January 19."Qatari marine surveillance saw a UAE naval ship unload a boat into the Qatari economic zone which obstructed and kidnapped a Qatari fishing boat," the complaint said. The fishermen, all of them Indian nationals, were forced at gunpoint to enter the UAE economic zone.