A glimpse at nations involved in Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen
Smoke billows from a Saudi-led airstrike on Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. A state-run broadcaster in Iran is reporting that the Islamic Republic has sent a navy destroyer and another vessel to waters near Yemen amid a Saudi-led airstrike campaign. (Source: AP)
A Saudi-led coalition has been targeting Shiite rebels and their allies in Yemen in a campaign of airstrikes, now in its third week. Here’s a look at the Sunni Arab countries involved in the fighting so far, as well as others offering material support or backing the operation:
Who is actively striking Yemen?
SAUDI ARABIA: The kingdom leads the coalition carrying out airstrikes in Yemen targeting the rebels known as Houthis and their allies, namely forces loyal to former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saudi Arabia has deployed some 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units for the operation, according to reports by Saudi-owned satellite news channel Al-Arabiya. The kingdom’s military has targeted Yemeni air bases, Houthi camps and missile sites. The military also says its Apache attack helicopters have struck Houthi positions just across the border in northern Yemen.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The seven-emirate nation has dispatched its fighter jets in strikes targeting Scud missiles in Yemen, as well as Houthi camps, air defense systems and other military targets, the state-run WAM news agency has reported. The news agency has said 30 jets from the UAE were taking part in the strikes.
Who has contributed aircraft to the coalition?
KUWAIT: The kingdom has offered 15 fighter jets for the operation, the state-run Kuwait News Agency has reported. It’s unclear if they’ve carried out any strikes.
BAHRAIN: The tiny island kingdom sent 12 fighter jets from the Royal Bahraini Air Force to take part in the operation, the state-run Bahrain News Agency has reported. It’s unclear whether they’ve carried out any strike.
QATAR: Qatar has contributed 10 fighter jets to the operation, according to the UAE state news agency WAM. The state-run Qatar News Agency has not reported on the contribution, or whether the jets have taken part in any airstrike.
MOROCCO: Morocco has offered six warplanes to take part in coalition airstrikes in Yemen, Saudi ambassador to Morocco Abdulrahman Mohammed Al-Judai has said. Morocco previously stationed six F-16s in the United Arab Emirates, detailed to that country’s military, to target the Islamic State group in airstrikes as part of a U.S.-led coalition against the extremists. Morocco itself has offered no specifics about its role.
SUDAN: The African country has put four fighter jets at the disposal of Saudi Arabia, Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told the private, pro-government Ashorooq television station. Sudan also has offered to dispatch 6,000 soldiers for ground operations for the coalition as well, Osman said. The Sudanese government has not disclosed whether it has carried out strikes.
EGYPT: Egypt is believed to be offering both aircraft and naval vessels for the operation, though officials have not offered any breakdown of their contribution, nor said whether they’ve launched any strikes.
Who has contributed material support to the coalition?
UNITED STATES: The U.S. has conducted aerial refueling of Emirati F-16s and Saudi F-15s taking part in the bombing campaign, as well as offered logistical and intelligence support. It has not taken part in airstrikes itself.
Who has offered unspecified support to the coalition?
JORDAN: A Jordanian official has told The Associated Press that Jordan is “participating” in the coalition, but declined to say specifically if that included airstrikes. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to discuss the issue with journalists.
Who has declared itself neutral?
PAKISTAN: After days of discussion, Pakistan’s parliament has voted to declare the country neutral in the Yemen conflict, calling on the warring parties to resolve the conflict peacefully through negotiations. It earlier voiced support for the Saudi-led coalition.
Who has voiced support for the coalition?
SOMALIA: Somalia has voiced support of the coalition’s mission, Somali media has reported.
Source:: Indian Express
