Bahrain condemns interception of vessels, threats to safety in Qatar

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has condemned the interception of the country’s vessels and threats to its safety.

While issuing the condemnation in a statement on Tuesday December 1, 2020, the ministry reiterated its commitment to rejecting “any insults to its staff or threats to their safety”.

It vowed that it would take the steps it deems appropriate to protect the kingdom’s security and stability.

The ministry clarified the incident that occurred on November 25 when Qatari patrols intercepted two Bahraini vessels on their way home from a maritime exercise in violation of the Law of the Sea and international conventions.

“Three Qatari Coast and Border Security patrols had intercepted two Bahraini Coast Guard vessels that were making their way back following the end of their mission in Ala Manal maritime exercise,” the statement reads.

“The incident targeting the two Bahraini vessels started with the response of the two vessels, then their interception,” the statement adds.

“The Qataris detained the vessels, threatened to use weapons and prevented the Bahraini crews from contacting the operations room, without regard to their affiliation to the Bahraini Coast Guard as an official entity,” it reveals.

The statement explains that the Qatari boats did not carry any flag or identification as required by international norms, while the two Bahraini vessels carried the flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the logo of the Ministry of Interior.

The Ministry of Interior commended “the level of discipline, professionalism and self-restraint displayed by the captains of the Bahraini vessels in dealing with the hostile actions of the Qataris.”

“The actions taken by the Qatari patrols are in blatant violation of the conventions and treaties related to the international Law of the Sea,” it continues.

“No country has the right to intercept by a force a Coast Guard ship or vessel, especially since the incident occurred in the territorial waters of Bahrain,” it says.

The ministry noted that last week’s incident was just one of many that have been provoked by Qatar over the years.

Between 2010 and 2020, about 650 boats and 2,153 people were arrested, breaking that harmony that has existed for more than 200 years during the times of pearl diving and fishing, it revealed.

“Qatar has persisted in detaining Bahraini fishing boats for long periods and prosecuting those on board, negatively impacting the livelihoods of citizens and in violation of the fishing profession that they inherited from their forefathers. Such provocative practices have deprived them of their livelihood and source of income,” it states.

Qatar bears legal responsibility for all violations against Bahrain, it said, adding that it will take the steps it deems appropriate to protect the security and stability of the kingdom.