Djibouti, Eritrea in territorial dispute after Qatar peacekeepers leave

[mike2000 is back]

Djibouti, Eritrea in territorial dispute after Qatar peacekeepers leave
Aaron Maasho | ADDIS ABABA

Map of the disputed Ras Doumeira region


Djibouti accused neighboring Eritrea on Friday of occupying disputed territory along their border after Qatar withdrew its peacekeepers.

Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said Djibouti's military were "on alert" and that it had lodged complaints with the United Nations and the African Union.

The United Nations Security Council is due to discuss the situation behind closed doors on Monday, diplomats said.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, later posted on Twitter: "I told Djibouti's Ambassador Idris Farah the AUC will send a delegation to Djibouti border to monitor developments, work with all parties."

Qatar said it was pulling its contingent out on June 14, days after the two East African countries sided with Saudi Arabia and its allies in their standoff with Qatar.

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Doha's foreign ministry did not give a reason for the move but it comes as Doha faces a diplomatic crisis with some of its Arab neighbors. They cut ties a week ago, accusing Qatar of backing Islamist militants and Iran, something Doha strongly denies.

"Qatari peacekeepers withdrew on June 12 and 13. On the same day, there were Eritrean military movements on the mountain," Ali Youssouf told Reuters.

"They are now in full control of Dumeira Mountain and Dumeira Island. This is in breach of the UN Security Council resolution," he added, referring to areas that the neighbors dispute.

Authorities in Asmara were not immediately available for comment.

US, French Marines partner for light armored reconnaissance training in Djibouti

Djibouti, a close Western ally, hosts French and U.S. military bases and is the main route to the sea for Eritrea's arch foe and Washington's top regional ally, Ethiopia


Eritrea has fractious ties with the West, which had previously accused it of backing Somali and other regional insurgents. Asmara denies the charges.

Clashes broke out between the Horn of Africa countries in June 2008 after Djibouti accused Asmara of moving troops across the border, raising fears the spat could engulf the region.

The dispute triggered several days of fighting in which a dozen Djiboutian troops died and dozens were wounded. Eritrea had initially denied making any incursions, accusing Djibouti of launching unprovoked attacks.

The U.N. Security Council requested both sides withdraw, before the neighbors accepted a Qatari request to mediate and deploy peacekeepers.



(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by James Dalgleish)


http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1971JR


So even these small African countries are involved in the Arab issue?

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Djibouti, Eritrea in territorial dispute after Qatar peacekeepers leave
Aaron Maasho | ADDIS ABABA

Map of the disputed Ras Doumeira region


Djibouti accused neighboring Eritrea on Friday of occupying disputed territory along their border after Qatar withdrew its peacekeepers.

Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said Djibouti's military were "on alert" and that it had lodged complaints with the United Nations and the African Union.

The United Nations Security Council is due to discuss the situation behind closed doors on Monday, diplomats said.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, later posted on Twitter: "I told Djibouti's Ambassador Idris Farah the AUC will send a delegation to Djibouti border to monitor developments, work with all parties."

Qatar said it was pulling its contingent out on June 14, days after the two East African countries sided with Saudi Arabia and its allies in their standoff with Qatar.

ADVERTISEMENT
Doha's foreign ministry did not give a reason for the move but it comes as Doha faces a diplomatic crisis with some of its Arab neighbors. They cut ties a week ago, accusing Qatar of backing Islamist militants and Iran, something Doha strongly denies.

"Qatari peacekeepers withdrew on June 12 and 13. On the same day, there were Eritrean military movements on the mountain," Ali Youssouf told Reuters.

"They are now in full control of Dumeira Mountain and Dumeira Island. This is in breach of the UN Security Council resolution," he added, referring to areas that the neighbors dispute.

Authorities in Asmara were not immediately available for comment.

US, French Marines partner for light armored reconnaissance training in Djibouti

Djibouti, a close Western ally, hosts French and U.S. military bases and is the main route to the sea for Eritrea's arch foe and Washington's top regional ally, Ethiopia


Eritrea has fractious ties with the West, which had previously accused it of backing Somali and other regional insurgents. Asmara denies the charges.

Clashes broke out between the Horn of Africa countries in June 2008 after Djibouti accused Asmara of moving troops across the border, raising fears the spat could engulf the region.

The dispute triggered several days of fighting in which a dozen Djiboutian troops died and dozens were wounded. Eritrea had initially denied making any incursions, accusing Djibouti of launching unprovoked attacks.

The U.N. Security Council requested both sides withdraw, before the neighbors accepted a Qatari request to mediate and deploy peacekeepers.



(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by James Dalgleish)


http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1971JR


So even these small African countries are involved in the Arab issue?

What has this to do with what you call "Arab issue" other than Qatari peacekeepers no longer being present in that region and thus no longer a direct party in the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea?

BTW Djibouti is an Arab League member state and home to an Arab minority. Arabic is also an official language. Same story with Eritrea although the latter is not a Arab League member state.

 

[mike2000 is back]

What has this to do with what you call "Arab issue" other than Qatari peacekeepers no longer being present in that region and thus no longer a direct party in the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea?

BTW Djibouti is an Arab League member state and home to an Arab minority. Arabic is also an official language. Same story with Eritrea although the latter is not a Arab League member state.

It is said that Eritrea and Djibouti sided with Saudi Arabia(like most Arab/muslim countries in the region) against Qatar, reason Qatar decided to withdraw all its peacekeeping troops from the disputed region between both countries.

Gulf crisis: Qatar pulls troops from Djibouti border
#GulfTensions
Doha cancels mediation mission on the Djibouti-Eritrea border, ending years of peacekeeping efforts under a 2010 agreement signed in Qatar

Qatar sent hundreds of soldiers to the Djibouti-Eritrea border area in 2010 (Reuters)

MEE staff
Wednesday 14 June 2017 09:55 UTC
Last update:
Wednesday 14 June 2017 11:38 UTC
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Topics:
GulfTensions
Tags:
Qatar, Djibouti, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia
Show comments
Qatar has withdrawn its troops from the Djibouti-Eritrea border, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after years of mediating in a territorial dispute between the two African states.

"The state of Qatar informed the government of Djibouti that it has withdrawn all its troops deployed on the border line in Djiboutian territory," a ministry statement said.

The decision by Qatar to withdraw its troops comes as the Gulf kingdom is locked in a bitter dispute with Saudi Arabia and its allies over its alleged ties to "terrorist" groups and close relationship with Iran. Doha denies all claims.

Qatar informed the government of Djibouti that it has withdrawn all its troops

- Foreign ministry statement

Both Djibouti and Eritrea have good relations with Qatar's leading opponents Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and have taken their side in the Gulf split.

Djibouti downgraded ties with Qatar last week, saying it was acting in "solidarity with the international coalition combating terrorism and extremist violence, as well as with the Gulf and Arab countries".

Eritrea's Information Ministry said on Monday the decision by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to sever ties was a move "in the right direction".

Djibouti also cut ties with Iran, Saudi's regional rival, over the January 2016 storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by crowds incensed by Riyadh's execution of the Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The Qatari ministry statement said the kingdom had been an "impartial diplomatic mediator" in the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea since 2010, which ended two years of border clashes.

The statement said it would "continue to be a major player in the international community".

Fighting over the un-demarcated area in the Red Sea, known as Doumeira, killed 35 people and left dozens of others wounded.


The leaders of Eritrea and Djibouti signed a pact in Doha in 2010, under the auspices of Qatar's then-emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, to pursue a negotiated settlement.

Reports in 2010 stated that Qatar had sent an estimated 700 soldiers to the border to oversee the agreement. A UN monitoring group says there were 200 stationed on the border at the last count.

Qatar has also played the role of mediator in other African conflicts.

It brokered a peace deal between the Khartoum government and rebels in the Red Sea coast region of Sudan, which borders Eritrea. It has tried to do the same in the conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

But is the second time that Qatari troops have come home since the rift among Gulf states began. A Qatari contingent stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen returned last week.

The forces had been stationed in the south of the kingdom to reinforce Saudi defences against Houthi attacks.

African foothold
Saudi Arabia was in January reported to be finalising a deal to build a military base in Djibouti, according to Djibouti’s foreign minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

"We’re going to sign a military co-operation agreement soon in Riyadh," Youssouf said in an interview with the Financial Times.

"I cannot give you the details because this is military stuff and is classified. But you will see when it will happen."

The African state, which lies on the strategic Horn of Africa, already hosts a US base for 4,000 soldiers and French military facilities.

China is also constructing its own base.


http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gulf-crisis-qatar-withdraws-troops-djibouti-border-755362299

It's surprising to see the long arm reach and influence Saudi Arabia has over muslim and even some non Muslim countries in the region. Even countries I would have never imagined are toeing the Saudi line. This is into, since I never expected even Eritrea to side with KSA.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

It is said that Eritrea and Djibouti sided with Saudi Arabia(like most Arab/muslim countries in the region) against Qatar, reason Qatar decided to withdraw all its peacekeeping troops from the disputed region between both countries.

Gulf crisis: Qatar pulls troops from Djibouti border
#GulfTensions
Doha cancels mediation mission on the Djibouti-Eritrea border, ending years of peacekeeping efforts under a 2010 agreement signed in Qatar

Qatar sent hundreds of soldiers to the Djibouti-Eritrea border area in 2010 (Reuters)

MEE staff
Wednesday 14 June 2017 09:55 UTC
Last update:
Wednesday 14 June 2017 11:38 UTC
redditwhatsapp googleplus 811
Topics:
GulfTensions
Tags:
Qatar, Djibouti, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia
Show comments
Qatar has withdrawn its troops from the Djibouti-Eritrea border, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after years of mediating in a territorial dispute between the two African states.

"The state of Qatar informed the government of Djibouti that it has withdrawn all its troops deployed on the border line in Djiboutian territory," a ministry statement said.

The decision by Qatar to withdraw its troops comes as the Gulf kingdom is locked in a bitter dispute with Saudi Arabia and its allies over its alleged ties to "terrorist" groups and close relationship with Iran. Doha denies all claims.

Qatar informed the government of Djibouti that it has withdrawn all its troops

- Foreign ministry statement

Both Djibouti and Eritrea have good relations with Qatar's leading opponents Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and have taken their side in the Gulf split.

Djibouti downgraded ties with Qatar last week, saying it was acting in "solidarity with the international coalition combating terrorism and extremist violence, as well as with the Gulf and Arab countries".

Eritrea's Information Ministry said on Monday the decision by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to sever ties was a move "in the right direction".

Djibouti also cut ties with Iran, Saudi's regional rival, over the January 2016 storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by crowds incensed by Riyadh's execution of the Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The Qatari ministry statement said the kingdom had been an "impartial diplomatic mediator" in the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea since 2010, which ended two years of border clashes.

The statement said it would "continue to be a major player in the international community".

Fighting over the un-demarcated area in the Red Sea, known as Doumeira, killed 35 people and left dozens of others wounded.


The leaders of Eritrea and Djibouti signed a pact in Doha in 2010, under the auspices of Qatar's then-emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, to pursue a negotiated settlement.

Reports in 2010 stated that Qatar had sent an estimated 700 soldiers to the border to oversee the agreement. A UN monitoring group says there were 200 stationed on the border at the last count.

Qatar has also played the role of mediator in other African conflicts.

It brokered a peace deal between the Khartoum government and rebels in the Red Sea coast region of Sudan, which borders Eritrea. It has tried to do the same in the conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

But is the second time that Qatari troops have come home since the rift among Gulf states began. A Qatari contingent stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen returned last week.

The forces had been stationed in the south of the kingdom to reinforce Saudi defences against Houthi attacks.

African foothold
Saudi Arabia was in January reported to be finalising a deal to build a military base in Djibouti, according to Djibouti’s foreign minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

"We’re going to sign a military co-operation agreement soon in Riyadh," Youssouf said in an interview with the Financial Times.

"I cannot give you the details because this is military stuff and is classified. But you will see when it will happen."

The African state, which lies on the strategic Horn of Africa, already hosts a US base for 4,000 soldiers and French military facilities.

China is also constructing its own base.


http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gulf-crisis-qatar-withdraws-troops-djibouti-border-755362299

It's surprising to see the long arm reach and influence Saudi Arabia has over muslim and even some non Muslim countries in the region. Even countries I would have never imagined are toeing the Saudi line. This is into, since I never expected even Eritrea to side with KSA.

I think that I was too quick. My fault.

Djibouti and KSA have had cordial relations ever since Djibouti became independent from France in 1977. In fact KSA is in the process of building a military base in Djibouti.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-braude/why-china-and-saudi-arabi_b_12194702.html

As for Eritrea, relations have improved significantly in recent years. Eritrea has even played an role in the ongoing Yemen war.

https://www.justsecurity.org/41450/uaes-military-naval-reliance-eritrea-war-yemen-riskier-u-s/

http://www.arabnews.com/node/982271/saudi-arabia

 

[KediKesenFare3]

This is what happens when you put Saudi interests over your very own national interest.

 

[Somali-Turk]

nothing big.