Professional Military
He emphasised that he finds his visit “a great opportunity to assure the United Arab Emirates about the continued friendship and support of the United States of America.”
Although the attacks on the UAE are very concerning to the US, “I think the UAE has one of the most professional militaries in the region. They’re very well-led, and I think the UAE is a very safe and secure place,” the commander stressed.
“Even as the UAE has come under attack, the United States has moved quickly and swiftly to help an old friend. We brought a destroyer in a guided-missile destroyer, the USS Cole, which has ballistic missile defence capabilities. It will patrol the waters of the UAE, working closely with UAE air defenders to protect their nation,” he affirmed.
“And then additionally, over the next week or so, we’re going to bring in a squadron of F-22 fighter jets, the best air superiority fighters in the world. They will also work with their UAE partners to help defend the nation. So, we think this is just one friend helping another in a time of crisis.”
Impact of Houthis’ terrorist tag
Asked about the US Government reports considering re-designating Houthis as a terrorist organisation and the possible impact of such a move, Gen. McKenzie replied, “I would leave the questions about designating the Houthis to the diplomats. But I would tell you this – the Houthis are behaving in a reckless and irresponsible manner as they attacked the UAE and they have continued to attack the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
About the killing of Daesh leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi during a US counterterrorism raid in northwest Syria on Wednesday, McKenzie said, “I think taking the international leader of ISIS [or Deash] off the table makes it hard for them to coordinate their activities across the globe. And certainly, while regional aspects of ISIS will remain, it will be harder for them to coordinate their activities across continents.”
Asked whether the threat of Daesh forming a global network has been thwarted with his killing, he answered, “No, I do not believe it has been done away with. I think that threat will be with us for a long time. Our goal of encountering this threat is not to have a bloodless or a nonviolent future, because tragically, I don’t think that’s going to be a possible outcome.”
The Centcom Commander explained that the US wants to contain the threat of Daesh “locally and regionally” so that its security forces could “deal with them on the spot rather than allowing them to coordinate across the globe, and mount large, spectacular attacks.”
Situation in Afghanistan [next page]
