A NEW book has been released documenting Qatar’s “forgotten” invasion of Bahrain.
Fasht Dibal was under Bahrain’s control when Qatari troops descended on the island, taking 30 construction workers hostage in 1986.
It is located northeast of Bahrain’s mainland, but was awarded to Qatar in 2001 as part of an agreement that saw the Hawar Islands handed over by Doha in return.
However, the incident has been highlighted as an example of Qatar’s hostile policy towards Bahrain over the past three decades in a book launched yesterday by the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat).
Titled Qatar’s Aggression In Fasht Dibal In 1986, the book includes photographs and documents from Bahraini and British archives.
“The Qatari invasion of Fasht Dibal in 1986 is an invasion that is somehow forgotten today,” said Derasat chairman and Bahrain Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary for International Affairs Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
“It is necessary to shed light on this historical event that shapes our present political landscape.
“What’s happening today with Qatar specifically is not much different than back in the 80s, with the military invasion of Dibal.”
Dr Shaikh Abdulla was speaking during an event yesterday at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain to launch the Arabic book.
It includes several photographs, as well as a GDN report on the eventual withdrawal of Qatari troops – leaving behind more than BD2 million worth of damage.
The invasion followed a diplomatic wrangle, which started when Bahrain commenced construction on the island – a move that Qatar claimed violated an agreement.
“Many people are not aware about the Qatari military invasion of Fasht Dibal, which is highlighted in our book – exposing that their present behaviour is no different than it was 30 years ago,” added Dr Shaikh Abdulla.
“Following the release of this book, the initial feedback we have received has raised questions about whether there was a Qatari-Iranian alliance back then.
“These are all key questions that cannot be ignored when we look at the latest developments.”
Fasht Dibal was later awarded to Qatar as part of a ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, which saw the Hawar Islands handed to Bahrain.
Demands
However, last June Bahrain was one of four countries to sever all ties with Qatar for supporting terrorists and extremists in the region.
The Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain presented a list of 13 demands to Doha to resolve the diplomatic crisis, which included closing down the Al Jazeera news network.
However, the demands have still not been met.
“There is a clear roadmap for Qatar, which is still in a state of denial,” said Dr Shaikh Abdulla.
He also accused Qatar of waging a propaganda campaign against Bahrain through its media.
“Al Jazeera has been campaigning against Bahrain over the years and recently aired a documentary about prisons in the country,” he said.
“These are matters that are unacceptable because they want to portray Bahrain as a failed state, which is completely wrong.
“Unfortunately, Al Jazeera continues to be an outlet of hate speech and sectarianism.”
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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