UK to deploy Typhoon jets to help defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

Ministry of Defence says warplanes will operate in ‘defensive role’ and not be used to attack Yemeni group.

Eurofighter Typhoons position for landing at RAF Coningsby in Coningsby, United Kingdom [File: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images]

The United Kingdom has said it will deploy fighter jets to help protect Saudi Arabia from attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.

In a statement on Tuesday, the British Ministry of Defence said the Typhoon warplanes would operate in a “defensive role” and not carry out attacks against the Iranian-backed armed group.

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“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,” it added.

The support includes an extension of air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi air operations, the ministry added.

The announcement comes amid heavy fighting between the Houthis – also known as Ansar Allah, Arabic for Supporters of God – and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.

In recent weeks, the Houthis have carried out missile and drone strikes against the kingdom, including Riyadh’s main airport, while the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s government has launched air attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen.

“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable. The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region,” UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said.

“That’s why today I have approved further UK military support. 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,” he added.

国防部表示，战机将执行“防御性任务”，不会用于攻击也门武装组织。

欧洲台风战斗机在英国康宁斯比皇家空军基地准备降落 [图片：Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images]

英国表示将部署战斗机，帮助沙特阿拉伯抵御也门胡塞武装的袭击。

英国国防部周二发表声明称，台风战斗机将执行“防御性任务”，不会对伊朗支持的武装组织发动攻击。

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声明还补充说：“英国将使用皇家空军台风战斗机执行防御性空中反击任务，以支持保护沙特阿拉伯的城市和关键国家基础设施免受空中袭击。”

该部补充说，这项支持包括扩大对沙特阿拉伯空中行动的空中加油支持。

这项声明发布之际，胡塞武装（又称安萨尔真主，阿拉伯语意为“真主的支持者”）与也门国际社会承认的、由沙特阿拉伯支持的政府之间正爆发激烈战斗。

最近几周，胡塞武装对沙特阿拉伯王国发动了导弹和无人机袭击，包括袭击利雅得的主要机场；与此同时，支持也门政府的沙特领导的联军对也门境内的胡塞武装阵地发动了空袭。

英国国防大臣韦斯·斯特里廷表示：“胡塞武装持续袭击我们的盟友沙特阿拉伯，这种行为令人发指。特别是袭击利雅得机场，表明胡塞武装为升级地区局势不择手段。”

“正因如此，我今天批准了英国进一步的军事援助。英国皇家空军的台风战斗机将执行防御性空中任务，帮助保护沙特阿拉伯领空免受无人机和导弹的袭击。这建立在英国已部署在沙特的装备和人员之上，以抵御胡塞武装的空袭，”他补充道。