UK Deploys Jets to Defend Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Houthi Attacks
The United Kingdom will bolster its defensive military support for Saudi Arabia by deploying Royal Air Force Typhoon jets in response to increasing missile and drone attacks from Houthi rebels.
The United Kingdom announced Tuesday it will deploy RAF Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia to help defend the kingdom against escalating Houthi missile and drone attacks. The defensive mission aims to protect Saudi cities and infrastructure from aerial assaults by the Iran-backed group, according to a written statement from Defense Secretary Wes Streeting.
These deployments follow recent Houthi attacks targeting the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and energy sites along the country's coast. The statement emphasized that the Typhoon jets will operate in a strictly defensive capacity and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.
The Houthi movement is currently engaged in a civil war within Yemen against the country's internationally recognized government, which receives backing from Saudi Arabia. In addition to the fighter jets, the UK will also provide military advisers and an RAF A400M transport aircraft as part of the enhanced defensive support.