Arab Coalition Ends US Refuelling Deal in Yemen
A Saudi pilot in a F-15 fighter jet at the Khamis Mushayt military airbase, 880km from Riyadh. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition has now ended US aerial refuelling operations in Yemen. AFPSOURCE: THE NATIONAL
BY: ALI MAHMOOD
The Arab Coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said it will no longer use American in-flight refuelling since it has developed its own capabilities to do so.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, the decision follows a request from coalition members to end the practice because of growing independence in refuelling aircraft in mid-air.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the member countries of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, continually pursue improvements to military professionalism and self-sufficiency,” it said.
“Recently the Kingdom and the coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct in-flight refuelling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of in-flight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen.”
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said the United States supported Saudi Arabia’s decision to cease American aerial refuelling.
“The US will also continue working with the coalition and Yemen to minimise civilian casualties and expand urgent humanitarian efforts throughout the country,” the US defence secretary said.
The Pentagon provided refuelling capabilities for about 20 per cent of the planes flying sorties over Yemen.
Mr Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter into negotiations within the next 30 days.
The United Nations has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year.
The coalition reiterated its hope that the UN-sponsored negotiations with the Houthi rebels in a third country, possibly Sweden, would “lead to a negotiated settlement” and “end the aggression” of the militias that have overrun urban centres in Yemen since 2014.
