Around 50 British gunners have been stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Crossways, with the mission to enhance air defense capabilities against drone and missile threats from Houthi rebels.
In a significant development amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, around 50 gunners from the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery of the UK have been stationed in Saudi Arabia. This deployment, part of Operation Crossways, includes the Starstreak High Velocity Missile system, aimed at bolstering air defense against potential drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels. The British troops’ mission is to train Saudi armed forces and enhance their defense capabilities against the threats posed by the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have targeted commercial shipping in the region.
The Royal Navy’s frigate HMS Richmond and RAF Typhoon fighters have also been engaged in operations in the Red Sea, contributing to an international response designed to counteract the Houthi insurgency. The UK Ministry of Defence stressed the defensive nature of this deployment, indicating it is intended to support Saudi Arabia in defending against aerial threats.
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions have escalated, with Russia and China clashing with the United States and the United Kingdom over attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The US and UK defended their actions as responses to missile launches by the Houthis at commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which have had significant implications for global shipping and regional humanitarian aid. Russia and China argue that these military actions were not authorized by the UN Security Council.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014, has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the UN humanitarian office, over 18 million people are in need of aid this year. Food insecurity and malnutrition are rampant, complicating the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance amidst an ongoing funding shortfall.
In a related development, the crew aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has endured intense combat conditions over the past four months, confronting not only Houthi missiles but also a novel threat from fast unmanned vessels (USVs). These USVs have presented significant challenges for the U.S. Navy in the Red Sea. Despite the continuous combat readiness and the absence of days off, the morale of the sailors has been maintained through initiatives such as providing Wi-Fi for family communications. The resilience of these sailors under the leadership of Captain Christopher Hill illustrates their unwavering commitment to defending their ship against the evolving threats of the conflict.
The presence of UK and US forces in the region, alongside the evolving nature of the threats and the diplomatic tensions, underscore the complexities of the conflict in Yemen and the broader Middle East.
