A Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jet operating from Qatar has shot down an Iranian drone.
This marks the first time a British aircraft has downed a drone since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, according to the BBC.
Earlier this year, the Royal Air Force deployed a Typhoon squadron to Qatar as tensions in the region escalated.
The UK Defence Secretary has made it clear that the increased British military presence in the region is intended to protect UK forces and national interests, and that the United Kingdom is not participating in U.S.-led strikes.
RAF aircraft have been conducting defensive patrols from Qatar and RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since the launch of U.S. and Israeli military operations.
British authorities are working on plans that could potentially evacuate their citizens from the Middle East. However, this appears unlikely in the short term, as regional airspace remains closed.
British nationals passing through Dubai and Doha have been advised to remain indoors in secure locations and to avoid traveling outside whenever possible.
Around 76,000 British nationals in the Middle East have registered under the UK government’s scheme. Most of them are holidaymakers in the United Arab Emirates or transit passengers at major UAE airports.
The “register your presence” scheme allows British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to receive direct updates from the Foreign Office.
