Gulf States Block US Airstrikes on Yemen, Forcing Reroute to Diego Garcia

Post by: Raman Preet

Photo : AFP

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have stopped the United States from using their airfields and airspace for military attacks on Yemen. In recent weeks, the US has increased its airstrikes in Yemen, but now it is facing restrictions from its Gulf allies.

US Moves Warplanes to Other Bases
Since the attack by Hamas on Israeli settlements on October 7, 2023, the US has been increasing its military presence in the region. More warplanes and military cargo have been sent to Jordan and other Gulf countries. Reports suggest that US military cargo flights have increased by 50% compared to previous levels.

However, after facing the airspace ban, the US has moved its powerful B-2 bombers to the Diego Garcia base, an island in the Indian Ocean. These bombers were recently used in airstrikes against Yemen.

Warnings from Yemen’s Ansarullah Movement
Last week, the Ansarullah movement in Yemen warned that if the UAE continued to help the US in these attacks, they might launch strikes on Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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Gulf Countries Worry About Rising Tensions with Iran
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait are concerned about US President Donald Trump's recent aggressive comments about Iran. Trump has threatened Iran with heavy bombings, saying they would be more intense than anything Iran has experienced before.

The US has been trying to get Gulf countries to support its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran. However, according to a senior US official quoted by Middle East Eye, these nations do not want to be involved in the conflict.

US Military Meetings and Arms Deals
In March, US military and intelligence officers met with leaders from Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Washington, D.C., just as the first wave of airstrikes on Yemen took place. Shortly after, the Trump administration approved the sale of advanced weapons to these countries.

Qatar was allowed to buy MQ-9 Reaper drones, while Saudi Arabia received high-tech systems that turn regular rockets into precision-guided weapons.

Trump also announced that he plans to visit Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in May.

US Military Presence in the Region
The US has around 40,000 troops stationed in the Middle East, mainly in the Gulf region. These forces are spread across various bases:

Saudi Arabia: Prince Sultan Air Base houses the US’s 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, which flies F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.

UAE: The US operates Reaper drones and jet fighters from Al Dhafra Air Base.

Kuwait: Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base serves as the US Central Command headquarters. Some Israeli military officials have also reportedly been stationed there.

Bahrain: The country hosts around 9,000 US troops, along with the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet.

Yemen’s Attacks on US, British, and Israeli Vessels
Over the past year, Yemen’s military has been targeting American, British, and Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. They claim they are doing this to support Palestinians in Gaza.

US Airstrikes on Yemen
The US military has been carrying out multiple airstrikes in Yemen, focusing on destroying key infrastructure. Experts believe that these bombings are meant to pressure Iran into negotiations.

The situation remains tense, with the Gulf nations trying to avoid a larger war while the US continues its military actions in the region.

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