A B-52 Stratofortress similar to this flew over the Middle East earlier this week. AFP
A B-52 Stratofortress similar to this flew over the Middle East earlier this week. AFP
A B-52 Stratofortress similar to this flew over the Middle East earlier this week. AFP
A B-52 Stratofortress similar to this flew over the Middle East earlier this week. AFP

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US

US Air Force flies B-52 bomber over Middle East

Training exercise came on same day Washington redesignated the Houthis as terrorist organisation

The National

March 06, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

The US military's Central Command said on Thursday that it flew a B-52 long-range bomber over the Middle East on a training mission this week, on the same day Washington redesignated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist organisation.

The B-52H Stratofortress from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, western England, flew across Europe and into the Centcom area of responsibility on Tuesday for a mission that included aerial refuelling and training opportunities with partner nations, said the US military.

Operations such as these are planned months in advance, but the mission coincided with the administration of US President Donald Trump redesignating the Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation.

It also comes as the truce in Gaza between Hamas – whom the Houthis back – and Israel is under strain, and as the Houthis continue to target US assets. The rebel group shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone this week.

“We often project power into the region which could cause bad actors to think twice,” a US official told The National.

Centcom did not say which partner nations were involved in Tuesday's mission, but released photographs showing Israeli fighters accompanying the bomber.

Last month, B-52s arrived in Europe as part of a routine Bomber Task Force Europe deployment.

The Stratofortress has a range of 14,000km and can reach altitudes of 15,200m. The bomber, which dates from the 1950s, has become a symbol of US military power. It has been significantly upgraded during its 70 years of service.

Mr Trump first designated the Houthis as a terrorist organisation at the end of his previous term in 2021. This was revoked by Joe Biden's administration over concerns it would affect delivery of aid to Yemen.

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: March 07, 2025, 10:20 AM
Defence