3 votes

Saudi moves forward with plan to turn Qatar into island

4 comments

  1. Luna
    Link
    I'm rather shocked the Saudis would be willing to do this, as there are no open armed conflicts (yet), but I must say, this is rather devious. It isolates Qatar and gives the Saudis some room on...

    I'm rather shocked the Saudis would be willing to do this, as there are no open armed conflicts (yet), but I must say, this is rather devious. It isolates Qatar and gives the Saudis some room on the side of Qatar. This image is their plan, and would allow them to dump nuclear waste next to Qatar and have a military presence on the border still, providing protection if the Saudis decide to develop the coast of the canal. They want to build this 37.5 mile (60 km) long, 219 yard (200 m) wide canal in 1 year for $750 million. This seems pretty drastic, and I have a feeling it will be far more difficult to restore relations if they want to in the future as a result of this.

    On a lighter note, while Trump wants to build a spite fence, the Saudis are going to make a spite sea.

    5 votes
  2. [3]
    Luna
    Link
    In case the article is paywalled for anyone:

    In case the article is paywalled for anyone:

    Saudi Arabia is moving forward with a plan to dig a canal that would physically enshrine its yearlong rift with Qatar by turning the emirate from a peninsula bordering the kingdom into an island, Saudi media reported on Tuesday.

    Five international companies that specialize in digging canals have been invited to vie for the project, with bids closing on Monday and the winner to be chosen within 90 days, Makkah newspaper reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. The canal should be completed within one year of work starting, it said. The report was also carried by Saudi-owned news channel Al Arabiya and shared on Twitter by Saudi royal court adviser Saud Al Qahtani.

    The Saudi government’s Center for International Communication didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The government has never confirmed the plan, first reported in April.

    The project, if it is carried out, would geographically extend Qatar’s isolation from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt after they cut trade and diplomatic ties with the emirate last year. The allies accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and meddling in their affairs, charges it denies. In April, media reported that the channel would be 60 kilometers (37.5 miles) long and 200 meters (219 yards) wide, running the entire length of the strip of Saudi territory that borders Qatar. Part of the canal zone would be set aside for a planned nuclear waste facility, Al Riyadh newspaper reported, and Sabq online newspaper said the canal project could cost up to 2.8 billion riyals ($750 million).

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        Luna
        Link Parent
        Yes

        Yes

        60 kilometers (37.5 miles) long and 200 meters (219 yards) wide, running the entire length of the strip of Saudi territory that borders Qatar

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          Comment deleted by author
          Link Parent
          1. Neverland
            Link Parent
            Will it be a fully open canal to tides, etc? All I can think about is the possible erosion issues if it does not have cement sea walls the whole way.

            Will it be a fully open canal to tides, etc? All I can think about is the possible erosion issues if it does not have cement sea walls the whole way.

            1 vote