UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

RAF Typhoon fighters will fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure, in extension of UK support for Riyadh

RAF Typhoon fighters are to protect Saudi Arabia from attack by Yemen’s Houthis, flying defensive missions over the country’s cities and critical infrastructure, as western allies step up their intervention in the escalating conflict.

The operation – the most significant military mission signed off by Andy Burnham as prime minister – will involve RAF pilots attempting to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones, after attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

But the UK Ministry of Defence emphasised that role of the fighters – whose number was not stated – would be limited. “These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis,” it said.

An Atlas A400M transport aircraft, capable of transporting heavy equipment, and military advisers will also be provided, in addition to an existing commitment to supply air-to-air refuelling for Saudi fighter jets with an RAF Voyager.

An offensive by the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen that began in September has gradually escalated into a deadly regional conflict, with the Houthis attacking Saudi Arabia, the backer of Yemen’s officially recognised government.

Earlier this month, 13 people were killed when a missile hit King Khalid international airport in Riyadh, in the deadliest incident in a war that has claimed 19 lives in Saudi Arabia.

The UK has long been a military ally of Saudi Arabia, with BAE Systems supplying 72 Typhoons in a deal originally worth £4.4bn. Riyadh has also been considering buying another 48 in a slow-moving negotiation that has dragged on for years.

Though the UK only had a limited involvement in the US-Israel war with Iran, Typhoons based in the RAF airbase in Akrotiri, Cyprus, and in Qatar, were involved in flying defensive missions in the spring and summer, to shoot down missiles and drones launched by Iran and other proxies against Gulf states.

Britain’s declaration comes a few days after the UK defence secretary, Wes Streeting, visited his counterpart Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where the two men discussed how to respond to the Houthi escalation.

There some concern in British circles that the UK risks being seen as closely aligned to the unpopular US war on Iran, and the military intervention was partly justified because instability in the Middle East drives up energy prices, affecting the cost of living at home.

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.”

Further details of the operation are expected to be communicated to the UK parliament in a written statement shortly.