UK approves RAF Typhoon missions to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
Britain plans to fly fighter jets over Saudi Arabia to help protect cities and infrastructure from missiles and drones, expanding an existing defensive support mission.
The UK said on 20 October that RAF Typhoon fighter jets will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia to help protect its cities and critical infrastructure from Houthi missiles and drones. The decision expands British military support after attacks on Saudi airports and energy sites, but the government has not said when the flights will begin.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the aircraft would operate only in a defensive role and would not carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis. He said the mission was intended to protect Saudi airspace from incoming drones and missiles. The Guardian reported that RAF pilots would attempt to shoot them down.
What Britain is adding to its Saudi Arabia mission
Britain will also send an Atlas A400M transport aircraft and military advisers, Reuters, the Guardian and BBC reported. Reuters said the additional support followed a request from the Saudi government. It also reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham had said earlier in October that Britain was prepared to consider such assistance.
The new fighter jet mission goes beyond the support announced in September, which included an RAF Voyager aircraft for air-to-air refuelling but no Typhoons, according to Reuters. The BBC reported that Britain was already supplying equipment to defend against aerial attacks and had extended refuelling support for defensive Saudi operations by 90 days.
Attacks behind the UK decision
The BBC reported that the Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on 10 and 11 October. It said the first attack killed 13 people and injured 308. The BBC also reported attacks on energy sites along Saudi Arabia's coast. Streeting called the targeting of the Riyadh airport an escalation and described the continuing attacks on Saudi Arabia as ‘absolutely despicable’.
The Houthis are fighting Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, the BBC reported. Reuters said attacks on Saudi oil facilities and other infrastructure had intensified in recent weeks as the conflict in Yemen escalated. The UK says the attacks threaten regional stability and risk disrupting energy supplies and trade routes.
The Guardian said further details of the operation were expected in a written statement to Parliament. The government has not specified the Typhoons' deployment date or how long their mission will last.
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Sources and context
- Britain says it will carry out defensive air missions over Saudi ArabiaReuters, published by The Straits Times
- UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacksThe Guardian
- UK to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacksBBC News
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.