UK to deploy Typhoon jets to defend Saudi Arabia

Britain will deploy RAF Typhoon fighter jets to help protect Saudi Arabia from aerial attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the UK government said Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said the deployment was part of “additional defensive military support” for Riyadh. It said the jets would fly defensive counter-air missions to support the protection of Saudi cities and critical infrastructure.

“These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis,” the ministry said.

Britain also plans to deploy a military transport aircraft to support the movement of defence material inside Saudi Arabia, along with UK military advisers to support Saudi staff officers.

Defence minister Wes Streeting condemned continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and cited strikes targeting Riyadh airport.

Riyadh's international airport has been targeted by strikes 20 times since the start of the month. A recent attack killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, hit tankers, seized parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast important for oil exports and fired missiles at the kingdom.

Yemen's civil war, in which Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the government since 2015, reignited in September after the collapse of a years-long truce. Saudi Arabia, Yemen's government and the United States accuse Iran of backing the Houthis, an allegation Tehran denies.