U.S F-22 fighter jets arrive in UAE following Houthi attacks

The United States F-22 fighter jets arrived at an air base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday, following a spate of unprecedented attacks in Abu Dhabi by Houthi fighters in Yemen.

The U.S. Air force said on Saturday, the Raptors landed at Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, which hosts some 2,000 U.S. troops. American soldiers there launched Patriot interceptor missiles in response to the Houthi attacks last month, the first time U.S. troops have fired the system in combat since the 2003 U.S led invasion of Iraq.

American officials declined to say how many F-22s deployed or the number of airmen supporting the aircraft, citing operational security.

However, they identified the unit involved as the 1st Fighter Wing, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, the commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Mideast command said in a statement,” 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.”

The deployment comes after the Iranian-backed Houthis launched three attacks targeting Abu Dhabi last month, including one targeting a fuel depot that killed three people and wounded six.

READ ALSO: Indonesia to buy French fighter jets, as US approves F-15 plan

Kamila/Reuters