British Special Forces arrive in Yemen for actions against Israeli ship attackers

Tehran: – A contingent of 40 British Special Forces troops has arrived in Yemen. It is claimed that British Special Forces will take action against those who carried out drone attacks on Israeli oil tankers in the waters off Oman last month. Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union blamed Iran for the attack. Iran has denied the allegations. Iran, meanwhile, has criticized the deployment of the United Kingdom in Yemen. Iranian foreign ministry has warned that the Persian Gulf is a ‘red line’ for the country.

A British newspaper reported that the unit of British Special Forces, known as the Special Air Service (SAS), landed in the eastern part of Yemen. It is claimed that the 40-member squad includes soldiers dealing with electronic warfare. The British unit is assigned to teach a lesson to those responsible for the drone strike on the Israeli fuel tanker. According to the British newspaper, the British Special Forces will be assisted by local handlers.

On July 30, a drone struck an Israeli cargo ship, Mercer Street, travelling 152 nautical miles from the port of Duqm in Oman. Two casualties had been reported in the drone strike. This included British and Romanian nationals. Israel, the United States and Britain have blamed Iran or pro-Iran groups for the attack. Israel said it had evidence. The European Union (EU) on Sunday blamed Iran for the attack.

The United Kingdom reacted strongly to the attack on Mercer Street. Israel announced proper retaliation against the attack. The United Kingdom had warned that the drone base responsible for the attack would be destroyed by infiltrating into Iran, with its special forces stationed in the Persian Gulf for the past few months. Under such circumstances, the deployment of British Special Forces personnel in Yemen becomes significant.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, while speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, on Monday, on maritime security issues, blamed Iran for threatening the security of the Persian Gulf, citing the attack on Mercer Street. Iran has reacted to this. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the allegations levelled by the United Kingdom against Iran are not new. It is the latest in a series of ‘irresponsible allegations’ made by British leaders against Iran. The security of the Persian Gulf is a red line for Iran. Iran is fully prepared for the security of this maritime route from countries like the United Kingdom, the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.