France has entered the conflict
By Bernie,
France has entered the conflict. President Emmanuel Macron, in a televised address to the nation, announced he has ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and frigate escort to sail for the Mediterranean. Macron stated that Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems, and airborne radar have been deployed to the Middle East in recent hours, citing France's defense agreements with Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Macron announced additional air defense assets and the frigate Languedoc will arrive off the coast of Cyprus later today, following Monday's Iranian drone strike on the British base at RAF Akrotiri, noting that Cyprus is an EU member state with which France has a strategic partnership.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that French Rafale jets are already operating over the UAE to protect French military facilities, stating they have "carried out operations to secure the airspace above our bases." Barrot disclosed that a hangar at a French base in the UAE was hit by a drone on Sunday.
France maintains hundreds of navy, air force, and army personnel in the UAE, with Rafale aircraft stationed at Al-Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi.
Topics: Iran, Missile Defense & Alerts
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