Additional UK jets dispatched to region amid Iran’s attack on Israel: Defense Ministry

By Nur Asena Erturk

The UK dispatched several additional jets Saturday to the region amid Iran’s attack on Israel, according to a statement.

Iran launched dozens of drones toward Israel in response to an April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria which killed senior military commanders.

“We have moved several additional Royal Air Force (RAF) jets and air refuelling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the UK’s existing counter-Daesh operation in Iraq and Syria,” said the British Defense Ministry.

“In addition, these UK jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required,” it added.

RAF jets have been involved in Israeli defense, according to reports by British Sky News. US and British jets downed Iranian drones above the Iraq-Syria border area, the same source reported, citing Israel's Channel 12 TV.

The ministry vowed further government efforts with regional partners “to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed Saturday that it launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel.

The Israeli army said the drones are expected to take hours to reach their targets.

At least seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed, including two top generals, in the attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.

Tehran has blamed Israel for the attack.