Qatar denies UAE, Bahrain allegation over military jets

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Qatar is denying an allegation by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain that it sent military fighter jets dangerously close to an Emirati commercial airliner.

Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement Monday that the UAE sent a military aircraft into its own airspace “without prior permission … and in a flying route close to that of the UAE civil aircraft.” Qatar said its jets’ mission “was known.”

Bahrain’s state-run news agency early Monday identified the flight Sunday as going from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Abu Dhabi. Only Abu Dhabi-based Etihad flies that route. Etihad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This marks just the latest allegations between Qatar and the UAE over their flights being harassed since a diplomatic crisis between them began in June.