UK to fly RAF Typhoon defensive missions over Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate, Ministry of Defence says

The United Kingdom will fly defensive air missions over Saudi Arabia with RAF Typhoon fighters, the Ministry of Defence announced on 20 October, citing what it called escalating Houthi attacks in the region. The department said the aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis.

In its operational update, the ministry said the Typhoons will fly defensive counter-air missions to help protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure against aerial attack. It added that an RAF A400M transport aircraft will move defence materiel within Saudi Arabia, and that UK military advisers will support Saudi staff officers.

The ministry described the step as building on the UK’s existing defensive contribution, which it said includes air defence equipment deployed to protect against missile and drone attacks. It also announced an extension of air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi defensive air operations, including operations the ministry said are aimed at degrading Houthi military targets in Yemen.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he had approved the further support. “The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable,” he said, adding that the targeting of the airport in Riyadh “shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region.”

The ministry’s operational update condemned the Houthi attacks on civilian targets such as King Khalid International Airport and said Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen have the right to defend themselves. It also argued that violence in the Gulf affects the UK through the cost of living and energy supplies, and said it is causing devastation to the civilian population in Yemen. These are the UK government’s assessments, set out in its own announcement.

Earlier reporting on the Saudi front

Geopolitiki has covered the recent attacks and the regional response. See Saudi Arabia: two Houthi ballistic missiles toward Khamis Mushait and three drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province in one night and Egypt: the National Defence Council under Sisi pledges “every form of support” to Saudi Arabia.

The announcement contains no figures on the number of aircraft or personnel involved, and no start date for the Typhoon missions. The Houthis’ own account of the attacks is not part of the UK statement.