UK to deploy Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks

The British government has announced the deployment of its fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against increasing attacks by Houthi rebels.

The Saudi capital’s international airport has been targeted by strikes 20 times since the beginning of the month, with a recent attack killing 13 people and wounding more than 300.

In a statement issued by the UK Ministry of Defence, the deployment was described as part of “additional defensive military support” for Saudi Arabia.

According to the ministry, “The UK will conduct defensive counter-air missions using Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial attacks.”

The statement clarified that the aircraft would operate strictly in a defensive capacity and would not carry out any offensive operations against the Houthis.

In addition, the UK will deploy a military transport aircraft to support the movement of defensive equipment within Saudi Arabia, along with British military advisers to assist Saudi officers.

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement: “The continued Houthi attacks on our ally Saudi Arabia are utterly condemnable. Targeting Riyadh Airport in particular demonstrates the lengths to which the Houthis are willing to go to escalate tensions in the region.”