Why would older groups be making claims?

Today Boromir from Order of the Valar and  Morida from Dwarven Lords both initiated sovereignty claims on one of our players sovereignty squares.  Neither Valor or DLords has any cities close to 593|469. Both are almost 1000 squares away. They cannot be serious about making use of the square. This leaves me to wonder, why they would go out of their way to initiate something against the player and our group.

There can be no dispute, either Dwarven Lords or Order of the Valar could completely wipe those of the Relic off the map.  One player from each group has more population than all of us combined in just one or two of their cities. I can see no reason, no honor, no practical purpose for either of these groups or players in initiating action against us.

Is this a practice older players or groups use to give us notice they are watching us? Or is it a way people attempt to lure others into aggressive action? Can someone please explain why they may have done this? 

Thanks for any input that might shed some light on motive for me. - Meagh

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> FW: Counterclaim rescinded at 593|469 > Received: 16 Sep 2011 03:50 > Original Message:  The Sovereign counterclaim by Boromir from Erechat this location has been rescinded. As this was your Sovereign Square, this rescindment takes effect immediately.

> FW: Counterclaim rescinded at 593|469 > Received: 16 Sep 2011 03:50 > Original Message:  The Sovereign counterclaim by Morida from Nubletat this location has been rescinded. As this was your Sovereign Square, this rescindment takes effect immediately.

Edit: I should note that I suspect that these players likely acted of their own initiative in this... the only apparent collusion is between the two (perhaps maybe Boromir's alt is Morida?). This may not be the policy of Valar or Dlords, i've contacted both alliance leaders to find out. Even at that however I'm still interested in the motive behind this and if this is a common tactic in Illy.