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
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
