Britain says it will carry out defensive air missions over Saudi Arabia

London announced on Tuesday that the Royal Air Force will deploy Typhoon fighter jets for defensive missions over Saudi Arabia to shield key cities and infrastructure from Houthi aerial assaults. The Ministry of Defence confirmed these aircraft would only engage in a protective capacity, refraining from launching offensive strikes against the Houthis, whose actions threaten regional stability and could disrupt vital energy supplies and trade routes.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting denounced the escalating attacks, emphasizing the airport in Riyadh as a prime example of the Houthis' escalating tactics. In response to a request from Saudi Arabia, UK Prime Minister Andrea Burnham had previously indicated Britain would evaluate additional military support. The RAF Typhoons will operate defensively, targeting drones and missiles aimed at Saudi airspace.

This deployment builds upon aid initially proposed in September, which included an RAF Voyager aircraft for air-to-air refuelling, but did not involve fighter jets. Houthi assaults on Saudi oil facilities and other critical infrastructure have escalated significantly in recent weeks, as the Yemen conflict intensifies. Inside Yemen, reports stated that a Houthi strike on Monday targeting a training camp for Yemeni government security personnel resulted in the deaths of 58 people.