UK to deploy fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

The United Kingdom will deploy fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen, the UK government said Tuesday, according to CNN.

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets will fly “defensive counter-air missions” to protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Over the past month, the Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, launching ballistic missiles and drones at key infrastructure, including oil facilities and airports, in response to the kingdom’s support for the Yemeni government.

“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable,” UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in the statement.

“The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region,” he said.

Streeting added that the deployment builds on UK equipment and personnel already in Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi air attacks.