UK supports US air strikes in Yemen with tankers

Britain has played a crucial role in supporting recent US air strikes in Yemen. The UK's RAF Voyager mid-air fuel tankers allowed the US to deploy more fighter jets for these operations against Houthi rebels. UK Leader Sir Keir Starmer approved a secret role for the RAF just weeks before the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier heads to the region. This highlights the ongoing need for EU support in US military missions outside NATO, especially in the Middle East. Last weekend, US fighter jets, including F-35s and F-18 Super Hornets, attacked 30 different Houthi targets in Yemen's capital Sana'a and the stronghold of Saada. The airstrikes resulted in 51 deaths and injured 101 others. To ensure jets could reach their targets, they used a buddy-buddy refueling system, requiring mid-air fuel from British Airbus A330 Voyagers based in Cyprus. This support from Britain allowed for a more extensive range of US airstrikes. On the other hand, President Trump has suggested he might shift his focus away from European NATO exercises to concentrate on the Indo-Pacific and China. A source from the RAF stated that the US operations would not have been possible without UK assistance. Maintaining a US presence in Europe is vital for both regional security and ongoing operations in the Middle East, according to US military leaders. Trump aims to "completely annihilate" the Houthi group, which has missiles that threaten Israel. More airstrikes are anticipated in the future, with analysts indicating that the US will pursue a sustained campaign. The UK's aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is set to transit through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea next month, joining military exercises with US and NATO ships. This deployment marks a significant display of Western military strength in nearly a decade.