October 4th 2024.
A Merlin Helicopter, piloted by the skilled members of 845 Naval Air Squadron, gracefully made its way back to the flight deck of RFA Argus. The bustling Mediterranean Sea was now home to not only warships and fighter jets, but also thousands of soldiers from Western allies of Israel. Tensions were high as the fear of a larger conflict in the Middle East loomed over the region.
The current situation arose as Israel prepared to launch an attack on Iran, a move that has already taken many by surprise with its recent actions in Lebanon. In response, Britain and the US have increased their military presence in the area, joined by Italy and Germany. Despite pressure from activist groups, these nations continue to provide arms to the Israeli military.
On Monday, as Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles towards Israel, both Britain and the US stood firmly in their commitment to Israel's security. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, RFA Lyme Bay, was also stationed at the UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain, ready to provide support.
Let's take a closer look at how these Western allies have been assisting Israel in their efforts by increasing their military deployment. Britain currently operates two RAF airbases in Cyprus, with RAF Akrotiri being used in the past for airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence has personnel stationed at military bases in Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq. The Royal Navy also has two warships stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, along with over 4,000 troops stationed at various bases throughout the Middle East. In case of an emergency evacuation of British citizens in Lebanon, about 700 troops, as well as staff from the Foreign Office and Home Office, have been deployed to Cyprus.
Confirming their support for Israel, Britain also revealed that RAF Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker had played a role in Tuesday's missile attack by Iran. Meanwhile, the US has also increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying several thousand troops and a variety of fighter jets and other aircraft. This brings the total number of American soldiers in the region to an estimated 43,000, with over a dozen warships among them.
US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, has elevated the readiness levels of additional forces in preparation for any potential contingency, according to a spokesperson from the Pentagon. Military leaders are now in frequent communication with their Israeli counterparts, discussing potential responses to Iran's missile attack.
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The US has also targeted Houthi forces in Yemen as a show of support for Israel. On Friday, multiple cities, including the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, were struck by US military forces. At least twelve Houthi targets were hit, including weapons systems, bases, and equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed rebels. Military aircraft and warships worked together to bomb Houthi strongholds at five different locations, as confirmed by US officials. While Al Masirah TV reported that both US and UK forces were involved, a British government source denied any involvement by the British military.
In this tense situation, G7 leaders have called for a cessation of hostilities in the region, warning of the dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation that could lead to an uncontrollable escalation. They also strongly condemned Iran's actions, stating that their direct military attack on Israel is a serious threat to regional stability. The joint statement released on Thursday reiterated their commitment to Israel's security and called for an end to Iran's destabilizing actions in the Middle East through terrorist proxies and armed groups such as the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
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