UK fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks

British fighter jets will help defend Saudi Arabia against “absolutely despicable” attacks from Houthi rebels, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said.

RAF Typhoons will fly defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from escalating strikes from the Iran-backed militant group, as the UK extends its military support to the kingdom.

This will be limited to a defensive role rather than supporting Saudi strikes against the Houthis, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The UK will also send military advisers and an Atlas A400M military transport aircraft to help move equipment within Saudi Arabia.

The move comes after mounting Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, with the capital’s King Khalid International Airport repeatedly targeted this month.

Mr Streeting said: “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.

“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. This builds on the UK equipment and personnel we already have in the country to defend against Houthi air attacks.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham last month announced that British planes would provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets.

With violence worsening since then, the MoD said it is in the UK’s national economic and security interest to halt the Houthis’ efforts to destabilise the region.

There are fears the deepening Middle East crisis will add to cost pressures facing British households and disrupt energy supplies.

The Iran-backed Houthis have secured a stranglehold over the Bab al-Mandab strait, a maritime chokepoint on the Red Sea vital for traffic heading to Europe through the Suez Canal.

The Saudis have been targeting the Houthis, while the Yemeni group has been firing missiles at the oil-rich kingdom.

Downing Street insisted the announcement did not mean the UK was being dragged into the conflict.

“Our support for Saudi Arabia is considered, proportionate and focused on helping them defend themselves against relentless Houthi attacks,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

“The UK’s priority remains protecting civilians and supporting regional security, whilst creating the conditions for a diplomatic solution.”

It was in the UK’s “economic and security interests that the Houthis do not succeed”, the spokesman said.