The United Kingdom is preparing to deploy fighter jets and additional military personnel to Saudi Arabia to strengthen the kingdom’s air defences amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.
The ministry described the deployment as additional defensive military assistance for Riyadh, aimed at protecting populated areas and critical national infrastructure from aerial threats.
Under the plan, Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets will conduct defensive counter-air missions to help safeguard Saudi cities and key facilities. The British defence ministry stressed that the aircraft would operate exclusively in a defensive capacity and would not carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis.
The UK will also send a military transport aircraft to facilitate the movement of defence equipment within Saudi Arabia. British military advisers will accompany the deployment to assist Saudi staff officers.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting condemned the continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as unacceptable. He said the targeting of Riyadh’s airport demonstrated the extent to which the group was escalating tensions across the region.
Saudi Arabia’s capital and its international airport have faced repeated attacks amid the intensifying conflict. According to reports cited in connection with the latest developments, the airport had been targeted 20 times since the beginning of the month.
A recent strike reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300, further heightening concerns over civilian safety and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The Houthis have also targeted Saudi-linked maritime interests, including oil tankers, while expanding their control along sections of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. The attacks and disruptions to shipping have contributed to concerns about regional energy supplies and rising prices.
The latest escalation follows the collapse of a truce that had helped contain Yemen’s long-running civil war. Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government since 2015.
Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government and the United States have accused Iran of supporting the Houthi movement. Tehran has denied the allegations.
The British deployment reflects growing international concern over the security of Saudi Arabia and the wider region as attacks continue and tensions threaten regional stability.
