The UAE’s Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash has said that the Qatari interception of the two passenger planes is an attempt toward escalation stemming from worry and confusion.

“The recent developments in the Qatari crisis and their interception of passenger planes has two explanations,” Gargash said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“The first is that it is an escalation stemming from worry and confusion, and the second is a desperate attempt fearing marginalization. Our response will be balanced and legal and its aim will be to secure flight routes and passenger’s lives,” he added.

The Qatari fighter jet had intercepted two civil aircrafts on Monday en route to Bahrain International Airport while on their regular daily routes.

The first incident involved Emirates Flight EK837 while the second involved Etihad flight EY23B traveling from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Bahrain International Airport.

source: Alarabiya