French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on 3/3 that Rafale fighter jets, deployed at the Al-Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been dispatched to protect French air and naval bases in the host nation. This deployment follows recent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks in the region, which officials link to the escalating conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran.
Barrot confirmed that the Rafale jets conducted operations to protect the airspace above French bases, referencing reports that French aircraft neutralized Iranian UAVs last weekend. He revealed that a hangar at France's base in the UAE was hit by a UAV on 1/3. Both France and the UAE are increasing discussions to determine measures for the UAE's self-defense against future attacks and how France can protect its interests. Hundreds of French naval, air, and ground forces are currently stationed in the UAE.
 |
French Rafale fighter jets participate in a training session near Abu Dhabi, UAE in 12/2025. Photo: AFP |
Addressing questions about the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, Foreign Minister Barrot stated that the warship is in the North Atlantic participating in a pre-planned exercise. He confirmed that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has not been redirected to the Mediterranean.
The deployment occurs amidst heightened regional tensions. On the morning of 28/2, US and Israeli forces launched an offensive against Iran, targeting defense and intelligence facilities, along with numerous high-ranking officials and generals. These US-Israeli attacks resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials. In response, Iran launched a retaliatory campaign targeting Israeli territory and several bases with US forces in various Middle Eastern countries.
The conflict's impact extended to the UAE. Officials reported that debris from a downed UAV caused a fire at an oil and gas industrial zone in the emirate of Fujairah. The fire was subsequently brought under control. On 2/3, a separate UAV struck a fuel depot in Abu Dhabi, causing a fire but not affecting operations. Amazon, the technology corporation, announced on the same day that two of its data centers in the UAE were hit by UAVs, disrupting cloud computing services in some Middle Eastern regions.
 |
Targets attacked during the conflict between the US - Israel and Iran. Graphic: CNN |
The Rafale is a twin-engine multirole jet fighter, featuring a delta wing design with canards to enhance lift and maneuverability. Equipped with high-precision weapons, it can perform diverse missions such as air superiority, long-range interception, reconnaissance, ground support, deep strike into enemy territory, and anti-ship attacks.
Pham Giang (According to AFP)
