UK to deploy fighter jets to defend Saudi cities from Houthi attacks

The U.K. said it would provide defensive military support, including fighter jets, to support Saudi Arabia as attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels escalate.

The Houthis, a Yemeni militant group, have launched a series of strikes on Saudi targets in recent weeks. Airport attacks in the capital city of Riyadh led to multiple fatalities, flight cancellations and property damage, while facilities belonging to oil giant Saudi Aramco were targeted last week.

"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," U.K. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement on Tuesday.

He added that Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets 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," Streeting said.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence also said that the fighter jets would operate only in a defensive role and would not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.

It said the Royal Air Force would also provide an Airbus A400M Atlas jet "to support the movement of defence materiel within Saudi Arabia," while U.K. military advisers will also give support to Saudi staff officers.

"Escalating violence in the Gulf can have a serious impact at home in the UK — driving up the cost of living, disrupting energy supplies and costs to British businesses. It is also causing devastation to the civilian population in Yemen," the MoD said.

"We unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks on civilian targets like King Khalid International Airport and are clear that Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen have the right to defend themselves."