Mattis holds UAE talks after Yemen support warning
Pentagon Chief James Mattis held talks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 7 September after warning in August 2018 that US support for its military intervention in Yemen was not unconditional.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed tweeted that his talks with Mattis covered ‘the enhancing of defence and military ties’ and ‘issues of mutual interest.’ He did not give further details.
Their talks were also reported by the UAE's official WAM news agency, which did not give further details either.
Mattis's 28 August warning that Washington could end its support for the intervention in Yemen the UAE and Saudi Arabia have spearheaded since March 2015 came amid an international outcry over the deaths of dozens of children in coalition air raids in August.
Twin strikes south of the rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida on 23 August killed 26 children, the UN said.
An August 9 strike in the rebel heartland of Saada province killed 51 people, 40 of them children, according to the Red Cross.
The US provides weapons, aerial refuelling and intelligence and targeting information to the coalition.
Mattis said: ‘It is not unconditional. Our conduct there is to try and keep the human cost of innocents being killed accidentally to the absolute minimum.’
The UAE is also a key US ally in the long-running campaign against Al-Qaeda's Yemen-based affiliate, regarded by Washington as its most dangerous.
While US action has largely been confined to air strikes and missile strikes from warships, UAE troops have conducted ground operations against the jihadists alongside allied Yemeni militia, ousting them from the southeastern port city of Mukalla.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons]()
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
-
![Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029]()
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
-
![What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?]()
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
![Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet]()
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
![UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens]()
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
