The UK will deploy RAF Typhoon jets to defend Saudi Arabia in response to escalating Houthi missile and drone attacks, the government has said.
The defensive mission will help defend Saudi cities and infrastructure – a move authorised by Prime Minister Andy Burnham – against aerial attacks by the Iran-backed group.
It follows Houthi attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh, as well as on energy sites on the country’s coast.
“These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis,” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in a written statement on Tuesday.
The Houthis are locked in a civil war with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and were ousted by the group from capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
Since September, Saudi Arabia has been struggling to defend its skies from Houthi attacks after a ceasefire of sorts in Yemen broke down.
The Houthis launched a fresh offensive against Yemen’s officially recognised government and seized effective control of the crucial Bab al Mandab strait.
Government forces – backed by Saudi aircover – mounted a counter offensive and the Houthis in turn struck targets deep in Saudi territory.
The Houthis successfully hit Saudi infrastructure including the King Khalid airport, energy facilities and key ports.
Saudi authorities said last week that 19 people had been killed in Houthi attacks on the kingdom’s airports.
Credit: bbc.com
