Ever since the illegal siege of Qatar started last June, there have been allegations and counter-allegations of airspace violations by different nations.

But now, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is affiliated to the United Nations, finally seems to be stepping in to resolve the row.

It is understood that they are trying to facilitate talks between Qatar and its neighbours to defuse tensions over alleged airspace violations. But at the same time, they are not expected to intervene politically in the dispute, reported Gulf Times, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The ICAO is working to organize a regional meeting for Gulf civil aviation and air traffic authorities in the next few weeks, as part of broader efforts to improve communication, one of the sources was quoted as saying by The Peninsula.

“Sometimes if you’re having a feud with your neighbour, you need someone to facilitate the conversation,” the source said.

While Montreal-based ICAO cannot impose binding rules on governments, it does wield clout through its safety and security standards which are approved by its 192 member states.

ICAO spokesman Anthony Philbin said the agency is ‘presently monitoring these incidents (of airspace violations) and working with all of the countries concerned to help keep the skies in this part of the world open, safe, and secure.’

The second source revealed that the ICAO’s governing council is not planning to intervene in these disputes over airspace infringement.

Qatar had filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against Bahrain, accusing a fighter jet belonging to Manama of violating its airspace earlier this week. 

Also in January this year, Qatar had complained to the Security Council after the UAE violated its airspace.