London. October 13. INTERFAX - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is sending British troops to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, according to the Prime Minister's office.
"The military grouping, including the P-8 aircraft (anti-submarine Boeing P-8 Poseidon - IF), surveillance equipment, two Navy ships - Lyme Bay and Argus, three Merlin helicopters and a company of Royal Marines, will be on standby to provide practical support to Israel and partners in the region, as well as to ensure deterrence and security," reads a release on the chancellery's website.
It is noted that maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft will begin operating in the region from Friday to monitor threats to regional stability, such as "the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups."
In turn, the Navy task force will arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean next week "as an emergency measure to support humanitarian efforts," the office said.
In addition, according to the release, the Prime Minister asked to strengthen military groups in Israel, Cyprus and throughout the region to support emergency planning and efforts of neighboring countries in case of any consequences of instability in Israel.
Earlier, the Guardian newspaper reported that the British military will transfer additional forces to the east of the Mediterranean Sea to express support for Israel.
It was noted that amphibious and evacuation ships, patrol planes and several helicopters will be transferred to this area. One of the tasks of the British forces in the eastern Mediterranean will be, as the newspaper reports, "tracking threats to regional stability." In addition, the military, if necessary, will be ready to support the Israel Defense Forces.