UK to deploy fighter planes to help Saudi Arabia’s defence against Houthis

The UK government has announced that British fighter planes will assist Saudi Arabia in defending against escalating attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) explained that the deployment of RAF Typhoon fighter jets is part of "additional defensive military support" to Riyadh.

The UK will conduct defensive counter-air missions using these aircraft to protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial assaults, but will not engage in offensive strikes against the Houthis.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting condemned the ongoing attacks from the Houthis on Saudi Arabia, stating that they are "absolutely despicable." He further emphasized that the targeting of the Riyadh airport, which has been hit 20 times since the beginning of the month, demonstrates the Houthis' determination to escalate the regional situation. The most recent attack resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, targeting its tankers and seizing parts of the Red Sea coast crucial for oil exports. This blockade has contributed to a surge in energy prices. The civil war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been leading a military coalition supporting the government since 2015, reignited in September following the failure of a long-standing truce. Saudi Arabia, along with the Yemeni government and the United States, blames Iran for backing the Houthis, a claim Tehran denies.