Britain announced Tuesday that Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets will defend Saudi Arabia against missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist organization. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said the jets “will conduct air defense missions over Saudi Arabia.”
1+The jets will fly defensive patrols over the kingdom to protect cities and critical infrastructure from air attacks, but won’t strike Houthi targets in Yemen. Alongside the fighter jets, Britain will send a heavy transport aircraft and military advisers to work on the ground with their Saudi counterparts.
Streeting also said the refueling operation will be extended for another 90 days. Under the operation, a Royal Air Force plane refuels Saudi aircraft in the air as they operate against the Houthi terrorist organization. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham approved sending the refueling aircraft in a speech to the House of Commons, declaring that his country “will continue to stand with Saudi Arabia” in the fight.
1+The British decision came against the backdrop of a wave of Houthi terrorist attacks on Saudi Arabia since the Yemen ceasefire collapsed in July. According to Saudi authorities, 13 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in the capital. Days later, offices of oil giant Aramco in Dhahran were also hit. Following the escalation, the Saudis postponed next week’s “Davos in the Desert” investment conference to next year.