UAE Deploys F-16s To Jordan.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had deployed F-16 fighters to Jordan, a move that appears to pave the way for Emirati aircraft to re-join the air campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria.

UAE Deploys F-16s To Jordan.

The Emirates' official WAM news agency said the deployment of a squadron of F-16s "reaffirms the UAE's unwavering and constant solidarity with Jordan" and was in support of the Jordanian Armed Forces in the multinational campaign against the Islamic State.

WAM said they reached Jordan with the assistance of an Airbus aerial refuelling tanker: an apparent reference to the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), three of which are in service with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAEAF&AD).

Meanwhile, Jordan's official Petra news agency released photographs of eight Emirati F-16E/Fs at an unidentified Jordanian airbase that appeared to be Al-Azraq in Al-Zarqa province.

US officials told multiple news organisations on 3 February that the UAE had suspended its air operations after a Jordanian pilot was captured by the Islamic State after ejecting over Syria on 24 December. The officials said that the UAE wanted the United States to move its search-and-rescue teams from Kuwait to northern Iraq so they could reach downed pilots more quickly.

US officials told Reuters on 5 February that the United States had deployed search-and-rescue teams to Arbil in northern Iraq in recent days.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar has hinted that his country may have also suspended its involvement in the air campaign as its aircraft were operating under Emirati command.

Al-Jazeera reported that he told journalists on 5 February that he could not comment on the Royal Moroccan Air Force's operations against the Islamic State because "this matter concerns the UAE and I remind you that Morocco joined alongside the UAE under Emirati command."