Posted on 05/30/2010 1:27:25 AM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Persian Gulf States have launched efforts to protect their territorial waters amid tension with neighboring Iran and threats from Al Qaida. Over the last two years, several Gulf Cooperation Council coast guards or navies have acquired or ordered fast patrol boats. They included Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Officials said the Gulf Arab countries were investing to expand their coast guards.
"There is concern that terrorists could sneak into the area and carry out a major attack on energy installations," a GCC source said.
The enhanced maritime security has resulted in confrontations between fishermen and GCC navies and coast guards. In May 2010, the Qatar Coast Guard opened fire toward seven Bahraini fishing boats that were said to have entered Qatari waters.
The Qatar Coast Guard said the Bahraini boats ignored warnings to leave the area. The Coast Guard has repeatedly warned Bahraini fishermen not to operate in Qatari waters.
On May 9, Bahrain and Qatar held talks in Doha to discuss maritime security measures. Officials said the two GCC states agreed to increase coordination to help avoid border confrontations.
"A Bahraini medical team will go to Qatar to monitor the case of the Bahraini citizen shot this week and who is still at Hamad General Hospital in Doha," Bahraini Health Minister Faisal Al Hamer said on May 13. "King Hamad has ordered a close monitoring of his case and his treatment either in Bahrain or overseas, if need be."
Qatar, with a 550-kilometer-long coast, has significantly enhanced its navy and coast guard. Officials said Qatar intensified training and procured advanced radars to detect suspected insurgents and drug smugglers.
"It is very easy to stray into Qatari waters in the area so it may entirely be possible that he [the shot Bahraini fisherman] strayed accidentally.
(Excerpt) Read more at geostrategy-direct.com ...
You mean they're bragging very quickly? ;-)
If you read the article they are purchasing speed boats.
That title is a typing error of Geostrategy Direct.
GOOD.
The less money they have to fund Wahhabist Mosques, Madrassehs and Imams in the west.
They are ALL a bunch of crazy bastards.
Hey! They’re swift-boating the terrorists!
But seriously....is anyone else struck by the irony of Saudi Arabia having to defend against a poisonous brand of Islam that they themselves have helped to foster and grow?
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