Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Daily Express reported on Sunday that Britain has provided vital support to the US in deadly airstrikes against the Houthi group in Yemen.
The report confirmed that the UK’s provision of RAF Voyager refueling aircraft allowed the U.S. to deploy more fighter jets for airstrikes on Yemen. This serves as further evidence that President Trump relies on European support for non-NATO missions in the Middle East and Africa.
According to the newspaper, F-35 and F-18 Super Hornet aircraft aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea participated in a series of consecutive airstrikes last weekend on 30 Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a—under Houthi control—and Saada, which is reportedly their stronghold.
The newspaper added that to extend their range, jet aircraft operating from the 97,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier require the “buddy-buddy” aerial refueling system. This means that for every jet deployed to attack a target, another aircraft must be assigned to provide it with enough fuel to reach its destination and return.
The report confirmed that Britain provided Airbus A330 Voyager refueling aircraft, which are usually stationed at the Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
The newspaper quoted a source in the British Royal Air Force as saying: “This U.S. operation would not have gone ahead without the support of the UK.”
It also stated that the Royal Air Force and the U.S. Air Force share a high level of operational compatibility. However, if President Trump decides to abandon his European allies, such actions will no longer be supported—undoubtedly dealing a severe blow to the Pentagon.
