UK to deploy fighter planes to help Saudi Arabia’s defence against Houthis

British fighter planes will be deployed to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against increasing attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the UK government announced on Tuesday.

The defence ministry said the deployment formed part of “additional defensive military support” to Riyadh.

“The UK will fly defensive counter air missions to support the protection of Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure against aerial attack, using RAF Typhoon fighter jets,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

“These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.”