UK to fly RAF missions defending Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks - report

The UK government has announced the deployment of Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to conduct defensive counter air missions in support of Saudi Arabia. According to the South China Morning Post, the Ministry of Defence stated these aircraft will work to protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial attacks by Houthi rebels but will not conduct offensive strikes. The Jerusalem Post reports that Britain will also provide an Atlas A400M transport aircraft.

The South China Morning Post notes that the deployment includes a military transport aircraft to assist in moving defence material within Saudi Arabia, alongside UK military advisers who will support Saudi staff officers. Defence minister Wes Streeting described the Houthi attacks against the Saudi ally as "absolutely despicable," specifically highlighting the targeting of the Riyadh international airport.

The deployment comes as Houthi attacks in the region escalate. The South China Morning Post reports that the international airport in the Saudi capital has been targeted by strikes 20 times since the start of the month, with a recent attack resulting in 13 deaths and multiple injuries.

Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post, South China Morning Post, BBC News, Al-Monitor, Middle East Eye — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.