Bahrain Mirror: Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that Bahrain has recently contained an armed incident in the middle of the sea with Qatar's Coast Guard, stressing that his country totally refuses these "abuses".

"The threats and humiliation of the Coast Guard police by the Qatar Board and Coast Guard are totally unacceptable, for being an abuse against Bahrain police personnel while carrying out their duties. It is not accepted for our sincere security men," he said marking the Bahrain Police Day.

"This incident was part of the Qatari behavior that targets Bahrainis and their livelihoods, in which 2153 individuals and 560 Bahrain-registered boats had violations registered against them from 2010 to 2020 in waters that have been throughout the year a livelihood source for them and their fathers and grandfathers. All these practices don't reflect the basic framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council that is based on closed ties between states, the belief of the common destiny and the common goals of the citizens of Gulf countries."

He added "Bahrainis don't expect such practices from Qatari authorities, because such an approach is against traditions. Accordingly, the Interior Ministry holds the Qatari side legally accountable of all violations against citizens and their livelihoods. It will take the required procedures and measures to protect fishermen and their source of incomes."

For his part, the director of the information office at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Rumaihi responded to the Bahraini minister's statements in a tweet saying "the loose statement doesn't worth a reply. There is no need to use a high tone. You are aware of the legal course as you used to demand fishing licenses for your sons in the Qatari territorial waters."

Arabic Version