U.S. sending warship, jets to help protect Arab allies from missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels
(Worthy News) – The United States will send a warship and fighter jets to help defend the United Arab Emirates, officials said on Wednesday, after a series of missile attacks by Yemeni rebels left three dead in the wealthy Gulf state. The deployment, to “assist the UAE against the current threat,” follows a phone call between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the U.S. Embassy in the UAE said.
The UAE, a major financial hub that is part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, suffered its third missile attack in as many consecutive weeks on Monday.
As part of the new arrangements, the USS Cole guided missile destroyer will partner with the UAE Navy and make a port call in Abu Dhabi, while the U.S. will also deploy fifth-generation warplanes. Other actions include “continuing to provide early warning intelligence (and) collaborating on air defense,” the embassy said. [ Source: CBS News (Read More…) ]