“Attacks on our ally are abhorrent acts.” Britain announces the deployment of fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia

(CNN) -- The United Kingdom announced Tuesday that it will deploy fighter planes to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have links to Iran.

The British Ministry of Defense stated in a statement, on Tuesday, that the United Kingdom will carry out “counter-defense missions in the air” using Royal Air Force “Typhoon” fighters, in order to protect Saudi cities and vital infrastructure.

Over the past month, the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, launching ballistic missiles and drones targeting vital infrastructure - including oil facilities and airports - in response to the Kingdom's support for the Yemeni government.

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement: “The ongoing attacks launched by the Houthis on our ally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are extremely abhorrent acts. Targeting Riyadh Airport, in particular, shows how far the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region.”

“This is based on the equipment and personnel we already have in the UK,” he continued.