ROME, 09 June 2021, (TON): An Italian military plane headed for Afghanistan was refused permission to use United Arab Emirates airspace, triggering a formal diplomatic complaint from Rome to Abu Dhabi.

The plane was taking journalists and military officers to a ceremony for the withdrawal of Italian troops from Afghanistan, where they were stationed as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.

Because of the UAE’s refusal, the aircraft was forced to make an unplanned stop in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and then continued its journey via a longer route.

The Italian foreign ministry said in a statement “it had summoned the UAE ambassador to Rome, Omar Obaid Al Shamsi, in protest.”

The ministry’s top civil servant conveyed to the ambassador his surprise and strong disappointment for a gesture that is hard to understand.”

The Italian media linked the snub to Italy’s decision earlier this year to make permanent a freeze in arms sales to UAE due to the country’s role in the Yemen.

The ceremony for the Italian military pullout in the western Afghan city of Herat still went ahead, but was delayed to allow for the late arrival of the plane from Rome.