Qatar Reports Airspace Violation by Bahraini Fighter Jets to UN

Date: 25 December 2020 - 21:19

News ID: ۸۵۸۲۷

DOHA (Dispatches) – Qatar has reported airspace violations by four Bahraini fighter jets to the United Nations Security Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The permanent representative of Qatar to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, in two identical letters addressed to the rotating President of the Security Council Jerry Matthews Matjila and UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that Bahrain’s military aircraft violated Qatar’s airspace over its territorial waters on December 9.
The letter expressed Qatar’s strong condemnation of these actions which it perceived as a violation of its sovereignty and regional security, adding that these violations were blatantly inconsistent with Bahrain’s obligations under international law.
These violations are considered an escalation that further raises tensions in the region, the letter said, adding that the incident was not the first of its kind.
Qatar called on Bahrain to halt these "provocative and irresponsible acts”, and urged the kingdom to abide by international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice.
The UN envoy said that such a move was considered an escalation that further raises tensions in the region, which Manama has already contributed to through participation in an unjust blockade as well as unlawful and unjustified actions against Doha.
"The State of Qatar, therefore, appeals to the United Nations to take necessary steps in accordance with the provisions of its Charter, and put an end to such Bahraini violations in order to maintain international and regional peace, security and stability,” Al Thani pointed out.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017, after the quartet officially accused Doha of ‘meddling in regional affairs and supporting terrorism’.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions.