UAE jets join Saudi campaign in Yemen

uae female pilotThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) military command has said here a number of fighter jets joining the Saudi-led “Decisive Storm” air campaign on some positions of Shiite Houthi group in Yemen.

Reports said the UAE fighter jets struck command and control centers, and supply centers in Yemen’s oil producing Marib region, Xinhua reported citing state news agency WAM.

No details were given about the exact number of planes and when the strikes took place.

The UAE, a key Saudi ally, said earlier this week that it ordered 30 fighter jets to participate the military campaign, which aims to restore the “legitimate” government under President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Earlier on Thursday, Hadi fled the Yemeni southern seaside city of Aden to Riyadh after the Shiite Houthi fighters were closing in on the city to capture him.

On Friday, Hadi arrived in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Friday to attend the Arab summit.

The summit is expected to further discuss the situation in Yemen and the recent proposal by Arab foreign ministers to establish a united Arab military force for immediate interference among Arab states when necessary.