The United Kingdom will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against missile and drone attacks by Iran aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, as strikes on the kingdom’s cities and critical infrastructure intensify.
The UK Defence Ministry said Tuesday that the aircraft would conduct defensive counter air missions to protect Saudi population centres and key facilities. The deployment is intended to intercept incoming missiles and drones rather than carry out offensive strikes inside Yemen.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Britain was already supporting Saudi Arabia through air to air refuelling, air defence equipment and the deployment of British personnel. The additional Typhoon aircraft will strengthen the kingdom’s ability to respond to attacks.
The decision comes after a sharp increase in Houthi attacks over the past month. The Iran aligned group has targeted airports, oil facilities and other strategic infrastructure with ballistic missiles and drones.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been among the targets. One recent attack killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, making it the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in more than a decade, according to local officials.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the attacks, saying the targeting of civilian and strategic infrastructure demonstrated the extent of the escalation.
The latest deployment adds another layer to the growing regional conflict involving the Houthis, Saudi Arabia and their international partners. The Houthis have said they intend to continue targeting Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and infrastructure inside the kingdom.
The security situation has also affected Saudi Arabia’s international activities. The kingdom recently cancelled a major investment conference following a series of Houthi attacks, highlighting concerns about the ability to host large international events while the security threat remains elevated.
Meanwhile, fighting has intensified inside Yemen. Saudi backed government forces have launched a counteroffensive against the Houthis after the group captured additional territory along Yemen’s western coast, including areas near the strategically important Bab al Mandeb maritime route.
The Houthis have continued launching missile and drone attacks despite the government offensive. At least 53 newly recruited Yemeni government forces were killed in a ballistic missile attack in Shabwa province on Monday, according to local officials.
The US mission to Yemen condemned the attack, accusing the Iran aligned group of targeting Yemenis who had joined government forces.
Britain’s deployment underscores growing international concern over the threat posed by Houthi attacks to Saudi Arabia and wider regional security. The UK says its military role will remain defensive and focused on protecting the kingdom from incoming attacks.
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