Play store
The United Kingdom government has announced plans to deploy Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against increasing missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The defensive operation, approved by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will help protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from aerial attacks by the Iran-backed group.
The move comes after Houthi attacks targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and energy facilities along the country’s coastline, raising concerns over the security of key population centres and strategic infrastructure.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting confirmed the deployment in a written statement on Tuesday, stressing that the British aircraft would operate strictly in a defensive capacity.
“These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not carry out any offensive strikes against the Houthis,” Streeting said.
The deployment is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air defence capabilities as it faces an increasing threat from missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The RAF Typhoon is a multirole combat aircraft capable of conducting air defence missions, including intercepting hostile aerial threats.
Its deployment would provide additional support to Saudi Arabia in responding to potential missile and drone attacks.
The British government has emphasised that the mission is aimed at protecting Saudi territory and infrastructure rather than launching offensive operations against Houthi positions.
The latest move comes amid continued regional tensions involving the Houthis, who have carried out missile and drone attacks in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure is particularly sensitive because of its importance to the country’s economy and global energy supplies.
Further details about the deployment, including the number of aircraft involved and the duration of the mission, were not provided in the statement.