The US military commander in the Middle East is planning to target Houthi missiles and drones on the ground before they are fired towards the UAE.
Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie said the plan is part of a range of measures designed to protect the Emirates from the rebel group in Yemen.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the head of US Central Command (Centcom) said a squadron of F-22 Raptor fighter jets will arrive in the next week.
We are happy to see that Thaad employed successfully by UAE in the first two combat employments of that system. I know that it sends a strong message of reassurance to everyone in UAE
Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie,
US Central Command
"We're going to bring in a squadron of F-22 fighter jets, the best air superiority fighters in the world," he told UAE state news agency Wam.
"They will also work with their UAE partners to help defend the nation. We think this is just one friend helping another in a time of crisis."
Lt Gen McKenzie said the UAE's Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (Thaad) had successfully intercepted two attempted strikes, and that the US is working to strengthen Emirati defences further.
"I know that it sends a strong message of reassurance to everyone in UAE. We will continue to work with UAE to make that system even better in the future," he said.
Lt Gen McKenzie met Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, on Tuesday.
Last week, the Pentagon said it would send fighter jets and a guided missile warship after the recent attacks on the Emirates by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The USS Cole will link up with UAE naval vessels before docking in Abu Dhabi. The ship is armed with an advanced sea-to-air system designed to intercept incoming missiles and projectiles.
Tackling drone attacks
Lt Gen McKenzie said: "We are working with our partners here in the region and with the industry back in the United States to develop solutions that would work against drones. We would like to work against drones what we call 'Left of Launch', [which means] before they can be launched."
Such a system will be able to detect the launch of drones, see them and disrupt their flight.
"And if you can't do that, you will certainly be able to shoot them down as they reach their intended target," he said.
"In all of those areas we're working with our friends internationally as well as with industries in the United States to become more effective at that."
Immediate US military support to UAE
"Even as the UAE has come under attack, the United States has moved quickly and swiftly to help an old friend. We brought a destroyer in, a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Cole, which has ballistic missile defence capabilities.
"It will patrol the waters of the UAE, working closely with UAE air defenders to protect their nation," he said.
"Additionally, over the next week or so, we're going to bring in a squadron of F-22 fighter jets, the best air superiority fighters in the world.
"They will also work with their UAE partners to help defend the nation. So, we think this is just one friend helping another in a time of crisis."
Impact of Houthi terrorist designation
Asked about the US government's decision to consider re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation, Lt Gen McKenzie said: "I would leave the questions about designating the Houthis to the diplomats.
"But I would tell you this – the Houthis are behaving in a reckless and irresponsible manner as they attacked the UAE and they have continued to attack the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
About the killing of Daesh leader Abu Ibrahim Al Hashimi Al Qurayshi during a US counterterrorism raid in north-west Syria last Wednesday, Lt Gen McKenzie said: "Taking the international leader of ISIS off the table makes it hard for them to co-ordinate their activities across the globe.
And certainly, while regional aspects of ISIS will remain, it will be harder for them to co-ordinate their activities across continents."
But he said ISIS is still a threat in its current form.
"I do not believe it has been done away with," he said.
"I think that threat will be with us for a long time. Our goal of encountering this threat is not to have a bloodless or a nonviolent future, because, tragically, I don't think that's going to be a possible outcome."
Al Qaeda affiliates in Afghanistan
The US is watching the situation Afghanistan very closely, Lt Gen McKenzie said, after the country fell to the Taliban in August.
Of most concern is mostly the ability of Islamic State Khorasan, a regional affiliate, and Al Qaeda to mount attacks against the US and its allies. "That's what we're looking at when we look into Afghanistan. That's the principal concern that we have right now."
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Paltan
Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch
