Qatar violates international law, stops two Bahrain vessels conducting maritime exercise
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Alaina
- . November 27, 2020
- . Update: June 14, 2021 6:33 pm
On Wednesday, Bahrain accused Qatar of violating international law, when latter intercepted two of its coastguard vessels conducting maritime exercise in its territorial waters. Bahrain’s interior ministry said that it would report the incident to the Gulf Co-operation Council and said that it hoped that “such an incident would not occur in future”.
The incident took place at 1 pm when three Qatari coastguard vessels stopped two Bahraini coastguard boats when they were returning after taking part in the Manaa exercises, north of Fasht Al Dibal. Qatari interior ministry issued clarification stating that Bahraini vessels were intercepted in Qatari waters and were freed as soon as Bahraini authorities were contacted for clarification.
“Bahrain has the right to continue to exercise its sovereignty over its territorial waters and conceding or giving up any part of its territory is not permissible, according to the principles of the National Action Charter and the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom,” Bahrain’s Council of Representatives said.
Bahrain condemned the incident stating that Qatar’s impromptu behaviour could hamper regional security and peace. Bahrain also asked Doha respect international laws and added that it would not take the matter lightly, rather raise to the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain and Qatar share cold ties as former, along with Saudi Arabia boycotted any form of exchange with Doha in 2017 for its increasing support towards multiple terror groups.
