In recent weeks, Qatar has accused the fellow gulf country of violating its airspace twice with military flights, raising concerns that their lengthy but low-intensity feud could soon escalate into an armed confrontation. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in June, when the UAE, Saudi Arabia and two other Arab states severed air, land and sea links with Qatar. Qatar denied the accusations and said it was being punished for pursuing regional policies independent of Saudi Arabia and its allies. But Qatar asserted that the UAE had fabricated the reports to divert attention from its own recent violations of Qatar’s airspace. Another incursion into Qatari airspace — by a UAE C-130 — occurred Sunday, the statement said.

Source: Washington Post January 15, 2018 13:38 UTC