A U.S. F-22 Raptor © Toby Melville / Reuters
On February 12, a number of F-22 fighter jets from the US Air Forces’ 1st Fighter Wing arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a part of an American response plan to recent attacks on the country.
The stealth fighter jets landed at Al Dhafra Air Base near the Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, where some 2,000 US troops are deployed.
“The Raptors’ presence will bolster already strong partner nation defenses and puts destabilizing forces on notice that the U.S. and our partners are committed to enabling peace and stability in the region,” Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, the commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Mideast command, said in a statement.
US officials declined to say how many F-22s were deployed in the UAE. However, photos released by the US Air Force Central showed at least six fighter jets at Al Dhafra.
🚨 HOT: @usairforce F-22 Raptors arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base, in the UAE, today as part of a multifaceted demonstration of U.S. support after a series of attacks throughout January threatened U.S. and Emirati armed forces stationed at the host installation.@380AEW pic.twitter.com/nAAZYK2BjV
— US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) February 12, 2022
The Houthis attacked the UAE with suicide drones and ballistic missiles on January 17, 24 and 31. Another attack carried out by a shadowy group known as the Righteous Promise Brigades (RPB) in support of the Houthis targeted the Emirates on February 2.
The US is not the only country taking steps to defend the UAE. On February 4, France announced that Rafale fighter jets based in Al Dhafra will conduct defensive patrols over the country’s territory on a regular basis.
The steps taken by the US and France do not appear to be of concern to the Houthis or their supporters. Very recently, the RPB threatened to hit the UAE harder than before.
