UAE Deploys F-16 Jet Squadron to Jordan to Fight ISIL
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered a squadron of F-16 fighter jets to be deployed to Jordan to support the country's airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), having earlier suspended its involvement.
UAE's official WAM news agency said on Saturday that Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, deputy head of the country's armed forces, had ordered the move.
WAM said the deployment was aimed at supporting Jordan's military in the fight against "the brutal terrorist organisation" ISIL, without specifying the number of aircraft involved or their role.
A Jordanian official, speaking anonymously to the AP news agency, said that the UAE fighter jets will participate in airstrikes on ISIL targets.
The Reuters news agency, citing a Jordanian army source, also said that the UAE's move would help intensify air strikes on the armed group.
"They will be based in Jordan. This is a big boost and will be helping our brothers shorten their flying distances and intensify strikes against the militants in Jordan," the anonymous military source said.
Both Jordan and the UAE are members of a US-led military coalition against ISIL. The UAE hosts air bases used by US and coalition partners.
Late last year, the UAE suspended its airstrikes against ISIL after a Jordanian pilot crashed over northern Syria and was captured by the fighters, US officials had said, although the UAE never commented on that suspension.