https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...emen-97v079bln
British commandos shot on secret missions in Yemen
Five special forces commandos have been wounded in gun battles while on secret missions in Yemen.
Members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) were shot while fighting in the Saadah area in the north of the country, according to a report. They clashed with Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, and were hit in the arms and legs. The five men, thought to be among 30 Britons operating in Yemen, are back in the UK.
The report is likely to incense critics such as Andrew Mitchell, the former international development secretary, who has accused the UK of complicity in Saudi Arabia’s role in the war..........
The Mail on Sunday quoted an SBS source saying: “The guys are fighting in inhospitable desert and mountainous terrain against highly committed and well-equipped Houthi rebels. The SBS’s role is mainly training and mentoring but on occasions they have found themselves in firefights and some British troops have been shot. A few weeks ago, an SBS guy was shot in the hand and another guy was shot in the leg.”..........
The SBS mentoring teams inside Yemen include medical workers, translators and forward air controllers, whose job is to request air support from the Saudis. The service, which is based in Poole, Dorset, is a 200-strong maritime special forces unit founded in 1940. Most of its recruits are former Royal Marines.
Yesterday it was reported that RAF engineers sent to Saudi Arabia to work on military aircraft sold to the country had evaded an explosion at King Khalid airbase in the southwest last week.
The Ministry of Defence said: “No UK military personnel based in Saudi Arabia have been affected by reported attacks. We take the safety of our personnel extremely seriously and suitable and effective precautions are in place to ensure it.”