Qatari fighter jets intercept UAE civilian plane again

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said the alleged incident happened on Sunday morning with a flight carrying 86 passengers.

The UAE alleged that "Qatari fighter jets flew very close to the Emirati aircraft, less than 700 feet (210 metres), leaving just a few seconds to the captain to manoeuvre".

Qatar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News identified the affected flight as Emirates flight EK837. Emirates declined to comment.

This marks just the latest allegations between Qatar and the UAE over their flights and airspace being harassed by the other since a diplomatic crisis between them began in June.

The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, accuse Qatar of supporting regional foe Iran as well as Islamist extremists.

Qatar has denied the charge and accused the four countries of trying to curtail its sovereignty.