Britain is sending fighter aircraft to help protect Saudi Arabia from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, the British Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday. The ministry said the Typhoon warplanes would act in a “defensive role” and would not strike the Iranian-backed group.
Typhoon jets to fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia
In its statement, the ministry said the UK “will fly defensive counter air missions” to safeguard Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial assault, using RAF Typhoon fighters. The package also extends air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi air operations, the ministry added.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the continuing Houthi attacks on the kingdom “absolutely despicable.” He said the targeting of Riyadh’s airport showed how far the group was prepared to go to escalate the situation in the region.
Streeting said he had approved further British military support, and that the Typhoons would fly defensive air missions to shield Saudi airspace from drones and missiles. He described the move as building on the British equipment and personnel already in the country.
Houthi strikes and fighting inside Yemen
The announcement comes amid heavy fighting between the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia. In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched missile and drone strikes against the kingdom, including the main airport in Riyadh.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government has, in turn, carried out air attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen.
