More UK troops to be sent to Middle East, defence secretary announces

More UK troops to be sent to Middle East, defence secretary announces 2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Cachella Smith , Jonathan Beale , Defence correspondent and Katy Watson , reporting from Doha Amiri Diwan/Handout via REUTERS Defence Secretary John Healey has met with the Emir of Qatar as part of a trip to the Gulf nations Extra British troops and more UK air defence systems will be deployed to the Middle East for defensive action against Iranian attacks, bringing the total number of UK personnel involved in the defence of the Gulf and Cyprus to around 1,000. On a trip to the Gulf nations, Defence Secretary John Healey said extra air defence teams and systems would be deployed to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait while the use of Typhoon jets in Qatar will be extended. "My message to Gulf partners is: Britain's best will help you defend your skies," he said. The UK's position on the war in the Middle East is to participate in "defensive action" but US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised that stance. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday the UK is "not going to get dragged into this war" but would continue to defend its interests and allies in the region. The defence secretary has been visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain as the government announced the deployment of further systems, and associated teams, for the nations and for Kuwait. …