ABU DHABI (Washington Insider Magazine) – Following a string of ballistic missile and drone strikes fired from Yemen by the Houthi rebel group on the Gulf nation, France’s defense minister announced on Friday that France will assist with the UAE’s air defense system.
Paris has a major military installation in Abu Dhabi and maintains tight political and economic relations with the Emirati capital. It agreed to sell eighty Rafale fighter planes to the UAE in December, marking the biggest ever foreign sale of the French fighter jet.
The United Arab Emirates was the target of numerous attacks on its land in January, and France has committed to providing military help to the friendly country, particularly to safeguard their airspace from any infiltration, Defense Minister Florence Parly tweeted.
The Houthis have assaulted the UAE with missiles and drones in the last two weeks, including one that targeted a US military base. According to Al Jazeera, this was foiled by Patriot interceptors manufactured in the United States.
According to the French defense ministry, operations will be coordinated from the Al Dhafra air base, which provides refueling and surface-to-air capabilities.
According to the ministry, aircraft missions are planned in collaboration with Emirati air forces to identify and prevent cruise missiles or drone strikes aimed at the UAE.
According to Parly, France is also assisting the UAE with aerial reconnaissance with Rafale fighter jets based at France’s airbase in Abu Dhabi.
According to French officials, refueling and frequent Rafale fighter jet surveillance operations will take place entirely over Emirati territory.
Following the drone and missile attacks, the US announced earlier this week that it would send fighter fighters to support the UAE.
The Awliyat al-Waad al-Haq (True Pledge Brigades), a little-known group with ties to pro-Iran armed forces in Iraq, said it fired four drones against the affluent Gulf state early on Wednesday.
The UAE, which does not share a direct border with Yemen, has not been the main target of Houthi assaults since 2015 when it joined a Saudi-led military alliance backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
However, the Houthis’ onslaught on January 17 appeared to herald a strategic pivot for the rebel organization.
