UK to fly RAF Typhoons to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

Britain's Defense Ministry says RAF Typhoon jets will fly defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from Houthi attacks, following a request from Riyadh.

Britain will fly Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets on defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from Houthi aerial attacks, the UK Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the aircraft would operate only in a defensive role and would not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis, whose attacks Britain says threaten regional stability and risk disrupting energy supplies and trade routes. Defense Minister Wes Streeting called the continuing attacks on Saudi Arabia "absolutely despicable," saying the targeting of Riyadh's airport showed the lengths the Houthis were going to in escalating the situation in the region.

A British Typhoon in flight

The additional support follows a request from the Saudi government. Britain will also deploy an Atlas A400M transport aircraft and military advisers, expanding assistance announced in September that included an RAF Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft but no fighter jets.

Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and other infrastructure have intensified in recent weeks as the conflict in Yemen has escalated. Yemeni authorities said a Houthi strike on Monday on a training camp for Saudi-backed government security forces killed 58 people.

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