The State of Qatar expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the targeting of a commercial cargo ship coming from Abu Dhabi by a drone, on Sunday, May 10, while sailing within Qatari territorial waters, which resulted in a limited fire without any human injuries.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in an official statement, that the incident that occurred northeast of Mesaieed port is considered a “flagrant violation of the principle of freedom of navigation and the provisions of international law,” and represents a dangerous and unacceptable escalation that would threaten the security and safety of commercial sea lanes and vital supplies in the region. The ministry affirmed that targeting commercial and civilian ships, regardless of the responsible party, constitutes a serious violation of international law, and a direct threat to security and stability at the regional and international levels, warning of the dangerous repercussions of such attacks on global trade movement. It clarified that the State of Qatar is closely following the developments of the incident, in coordination with the competent authorities and regional and international partners, noting that investigations are underway to uncover the circumstances of the incident, determine responsibilities and take the necessary legal measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's firm position that the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage in international waterways are a fundamental pillar of security and stability, and must not be prejudiced under any circumstances.
