UAE: Qatar’s actions endanger civilians
Radar images and coordinates show dangerous violations by Doha’s military jets
The UAE said that it would approach the International Civil Aviation Organisation regarding Qatar’s dangerous violations, in which it intercepted two regular Emirati flights heading to Bahrain.
During a meeting organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representatives from the UAE Armed Forces and the General Civil Aviation Authority presented radar images and coordinates that reveal the reality of Qatari escalation that is now threatening civil and military aviation. The ambassadors of UN Security Council member countries, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, attended the meeting.
The presentation also refuted Qatar’s claims that UAE military jets violated its airspace, highlighting the course of the military jets. Satellite images were shown proving that Emirati military aircraft were in a training zone that is part of the UAE’s airspace.
Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that this action by Qatari authorities against Emirati flights and the safety of air navigation reaffirms Qatar’s resolve to escalate the situation. He said that what happened is not a coincidence, but rather a systematic act and a trend that put the lives of civilians at risk.
The UAE will go through all official international channels, including contacting the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, about Qatar’s interception of two regular UAE aircraft en route to Bahrain, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has stated.
The statement came during a briefing organised by the Ministry at its premises yesterday for the ambassadors of permanent members of the UN Security Council to the UAE and those of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.
The briefing refuted the Qatari allegations that a UAE military aircraft violated Qatar’s airspace. Radar footages documenting Qatari violations were presented by the UAE Armed Forces and General Civil Aviation Authority .
Footages were shown, which evidenced that the UAE military aircraft accused by Doha of violating Qatari airspace was flying over UAE air space over a training zone acknowledged by the two countries, and that its mission did not last more than 30 seconds.
During the meeting, presentations and a short video by the GCAA and the UAE Armed Forces were shown that included radar footage documenting in real time two other separate incidents of interception by Qatari Mirage fighters of two military cargo aircraft flying over the Arabian Gulf. Though the two aircraft were well clear of Qatari air space, the footage showed that they were followed by the Qatari fighters.
The footage also indicated that the UAE civilian aircraft intercepted by Qatar’s Air Force, which took off from the Al Odaid Air Base, were flying well clear of Qatari air space and that they were regular, scheduled flights, following well-known routes, with the relevant approvals and internationally recognised permits.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, 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. What happened was not an accident, but rather part of a trend that placed civilian lives in jeopardy, he said.