U.S. Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for talks on efforts to strengthen the Gulf state’s defense following a series of rocket attacks by Houthi fighters in Yemen, Reuters reported.
In recent weeks, the Houthis close to Iran have launched an unprecedented series of failed missile strikes on UAE targets, which have activated the Emirates and US air defenses and led US troops to seek refuge.
The attacks have brought to light the hitherto unsuccessful UN-led efforts to mediate an end to the war in Yemen, which since 2015 has brought the Houthis face to face with a Saudi-led military coalition in which also includes the UAE.
McKenzie, who oversees US forces in the Middle East as head of the Central Command, said he was speeding up his planned visit in response to the Houthi attacks, hoping to underscore the US commitment to defending the state.
“I think this is a very worrying moment for the UAE. They are looking for support. We are here to help them offer that support,” McKenzie told reporters shortly before landing in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced the development by the United States of advanced F-22 fighter jets and a USS Cole guided missile to work with the UAE Navy prior to a visit to the port of Abu Dhabi.
McKenzie said the F-22s would provide the UAE with “one of the best radars in the world” capable of detecting targets, including cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft.
The USS Cole will operate in waters around the UAE, he said, monitoring the area for illegal shipments.
The U.S. military has so far described its support for the UAE as bilateral, defensive assistance, as opposed to any assistance to the Saudi-led coalition itself.
Asked about the Hui recent rocket attacks, McKenzie said they could have been triggered by a number of scenarios, including in response to battlefield failures.
“It’s hard to know all the Houthi reasons behind this,” he said. “I do not think the Houthis are used to losing ground in Yemen.”
The war in Yemen, which has killed tens of thousands of people and sparked a humanitarian crisis, is widely regarded as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Washington accuses Tehran of supplying the Houthis with high-tech weapons.
“The medium-range ballistic missiles fired from Yemen and entering the United Arab Emirates were not invented, built, designed in Yemen,” McKenzie said. “It all happened somewhere else. So I think we definitely see an Iranian connection to that.”
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
