Britain has announced plans to deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi aerial attacks. The Ministry of Defence stated that the aircraft will operate solely in a defensive role, focusing on protecting Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from drones and missiles. Defence Minister Wes Streeting condemned the Houthi attacks, particularly a recent strike on Riyadh airport, calling them "absolutely despicable." He emphasized that the UK's military support aims to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation.
The decision follows a request from Saudi Arabia's government, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham had indicated Britain was willing to consider earlier this month. In addition to the Typhoon jets, Britain will also send an Atlas A400M transport aircraft and military advisers. This expands on previous assistance announced in September, which included an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft but did not involve fighter jets.
Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and other infrastructure have surged in recent weeks, coinciding with the escalation of the conflict in Yemen. On Monday, a Houthi strike on a training camp for Saudi-backed government security forces reportedly killed 58 people, highlighting the growing violence in the region.