UK fighter jets to help defend Saudi Arabia against attacks from Iran-backed Houthis

British fighter jets will help defend Saudi Arabia against aerial attacks from Houthi rebels, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The UK will fly defensive counter air missions using RAF Typhoon fighter jets to support the protection of Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure.

These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis, the MoD said.

Defence secretary Wes Streeting said the “continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable”, adding: “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”, he said. “ 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.”

An MoD source said the Houthi’s “attempts to destabilise the region and undermine the security and stability of the Middle East are unacceptable”, adding: “This reckless behaviour deepens Yemen’s already devastating humanitarian crisis, and it is in the UK’s national economic and security interest that they do not succeed.”