They were escorted by fighters from partner countries in the region
US B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers flew over the Middle East on Sunday, accompanied by fighters from US partners in the region. This was said in a written statement issued by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), whose area of operational responsibility includes primarily the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.
“A pair of B-52Hs took part today in a multinational patrol mission in the Middle East to deter aggression and reassure partners and allies of the commitment of US forces to security in the region. Fighters from the U.S. Air Force and many partner nations escorted American bombers through various phases of the flight, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar”, – the communiqué noted.
The command pointed out that it regularly conducts these types of flights and exercises with partners in the Middle East.