American F-22 Raptor fighter. File photoMOSCOW, Feb. 8US to send F-22 fighter squadron to UAE to defend against drone attacks launched by Yemeni Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebels, head of Central Command (CENTCOM) says U.S. military Kenneth McKenzie, in an interview with UAE's WAM news agency. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said last week that the U.S. would send fighter jets and a missile destroyer to the Gulf region to support the UAE after the recent attacks by the Houthis. 
The Houthis announced missile strikes on a military base in Abu Dhabi»We have delivered a missile destroyer (USS Cole), which has anti-ballistic missile capabilities. It will patrol the waters of the UAE, working closely with UAE air defense to protect their country.In the next week or so, we are going to send a squadron of F-22 fighters — the best fighters in the world in terms of air superiority.» McKenzie said. Since the beginning of January, the Houthis have resumed their shelling of the UAE after a long break in response to the renewed involvement of the Emirati military in operations against the Houthis in Yemen. Armed confrontation between government forces and the Houthis has been ongoing in Yemen since August 2014. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE has also been fighting on the side of the government since 2015.
