Tel Aviv. US air force B-52 heavy bombers are continuing their flights to the Gulf region to be ready for a possible American strike against Iranian related forces in Iraq.
On March 7, Israeli air force (IAF) F-15 fighter jets aircraft escorted two US air force B-52 bombers, while they crossed the Israeli airspace on their way to another power demonstration aimed mainly at Iran.
The IDF said that “this flight is another step in the strategic cooperation with the American forces, which is a cornerstone in maintaining the security of the skies of the State of Israel and the Middle East.”
The two heavy bombers entered the Israeli airspace at 0700 hours (local time) in an altitude of 25,000 feet. Before entering the Israeli airspace they were escorted by British air force Eurofighter fighter aircraft that took off from the Akrotiri Air Force Base in Cyprus.
The bombers’ flight with the Israeli fighter jets lasted about seven minutes. Towards 1300 hours (local time), the bombers again flew over Israel back from the Persian Gulf to the west, to the United States.
The US Central Command, which has jurisdiction over the Middle East, also issued a statement regarding the arrival of the bombers in the area. “Two B-52 bombers conducted a multinational patrol flight in the Middle East to deter and assure US military partners and allies that it is committed to the region’s security. Several US allies accompanied the bombers at various points throughout the flight, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” the statement said.
It also states that “the United States Air Force is moving its aircraft and personnel into the area under the responsibility of the Central Command, from and around it, to suit the requirements of the missions before it and to train with regional partners, emphasizing the importance of strategic relations.” According to the announcement, this is the fourth flight of the bombers in the area in the current year.
It was the sixth power demonstration performed by the B-52 in recent months.
After previous flights, US officials said it was a “message to Iran.” On one of the first bombers’ flights, the US Department of Defense Central Command referred to the flights and said that they demonstrate the ability of the US military to send its air force “anywhere in the world in a short time,” and that the current mission was to “deter aggression and instill a US-allied sense of security.”
In January, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif said that Iran is not afraid to defend itself.
In the meantime the Houthi rebels are continuing receiving more accurate long range weapon systems from Iran.
The Yemeni led coalition is not impressed by President Biden’s decision.
To remove the Houthis from the US terror list and on March 7 attacked Houthi targets in Yemen.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist
