US to Send Warship, Fighter Jets to UAE After Attacks by Iran-Backed Houthis

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin responds to questions during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, on Sept.29, 2021. Rod Lamkey/Pool via Reuters

The United States is deploying fighter jets and a guided missile destroyer to assist the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in response to recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The decision follows a phone call between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, according to a Pentagon statement.