LONDON, Oct. 20 (Reuters) – Britain will send Royal Air Force Typhoon jets on defensive patrols to help shield Saudi cities and key national infrastructure from aerial attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, the Ministry of Defence said Tuesday.
The ministry stressed that the aircraft would be limited to defensive operations and would not carry out strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis. Britain has warned that the group’s attacks threaten regional stability and could endanger energy supplies and vital trade routes.
“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable. The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region,” Defence Minister Wes Streeting said in a statement.
“That’s why today I have approved further UK military support. RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.”
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The expanded deployment comes after a formal request from the Saudi government. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this month that Britain was ready to consider providing additional support.
Britain will also send an Atlas A400M transport plane and military advisers. The move builds on assistance announced in September, when the RAF deployed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft but stopped short of sending fighter jets.
Houthi assaults on Saudi oil facilities and other critical infrastructure have increased in recent weeks as fighting in Yemen has intensified.
Yemeni authorities said a Houthi attack on a training camp for Saudi-backed government security forces on Monday killed 58 people.
