The final decision for the international court of justice in the issue of the maritime delimitations and territories between Qat - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... Admittedly, Bahrain was the wealthiest place in Gulf because of the rich trade of pearl. Thus, it was common for tribes to target Bahrain as the primary target. Thus, in 1783, the Al-Khalifa family again attacked Bahrain with the help of its tribal allies. This time they managed to effectively invade Bahrain. However, there were so many attacks in the pipeline and the area seldom remained peaceful. In 1799, the Sultan of Muscat took control over the place and after three years, the place came under Wahhabi control. In 1811, Al-Khalifa tribe managed to come back and regain its control over Bahrain. Problems started erupting in 1867 when the representative of Al-Khalife in Qatar caught a man from an important Wakra tribe and sent back to Bahrain. Getting infuriated over the action, Wakra and Doha tribes turned against Al-Khalifa. Though the person was released, another member of the leading Qatari tribe was invited to Bahrain and jailed. Also, the Al-Khalifa joined hands with Sheikhs of Abu-Dhabi and invaded Doha and Wakra. As there was widespread destruction, Britain intervened in the issue and the problem was suppressed (United Nations Staff, 45). In order to end the conflict within the Al-Khalifa family, Isa bin Ali Al-Khalifa from Zubara was brought by UK and made the ruler of Bahrain. Over these years, the Al-Thani family had a growing influence over Qatar and Abdulla who ruled the province between 1913 and 1949 managed to sign a treaty of protection with the British as Bahrain had done. As Charney et al describe, in the year 1925, Al-Khalifa gave concessions for oil exploration but it mentioned nothing about the Hawar islands. Ten years later, the Sheikh of Qatar gave concession for oil exploration in places including Hawar. It was opposed by Bahrain and Britain declared that Hawar legally belonged to Bahrain (3225). In the year 1936, Britain made the official declaration that the area belonged to Bahrain. Though there was strong opposition from Qatar, Britain did not deviate from its decision. In the year 1947, Britain produced a map marking the boundaries between Bahrain and Qatar, and according to the map, Hawar belonged to Bahrain. Thus, by mid 1960s, Bahrain gave permission to an American oil company to explore oil in Hawar. However, the strong protest from Qatar brought the program to a halt. Though a meeting was held between the Sheikh of Qatar and Bahrain in 1967, they could not reach a solution. In the year 1937, Qatar attempted to impose tax on the Naim tribe residing in the Zubarah region. It was strongly opposed by Bahrain which claimed sovereignty over the region. While Bahrain claimed that Qatar illegally tortured the Bahraini people, Qatar claimed that it was using its authority within its own territory to curb unlawful activities. This only worsened the situation (United Nations, 119). Things turned worse when the Shell Company identified the presence of world’s largest oil reserve in Qatari Gas Field. Soon, there came the claim that Hawar would also have important gas reserves. Ten years later, in 1982, Bahrain started military exercises in Fasht Al-Deable, the disputed area near Hawar. In the year 1986, Bahrain started work in Fasht Al-Deable amidst strong protest from Qatar. Qatar responded by attacking the place and arresting the Bahrain workers. Saudi Arabia intervened in the dispute and an agreement was reached not to change ...Download file to see next pagesRead More