(Photo from AFP PHOTO / CROWN COPYRIGHT 2025 / SGT LEE GODDARD)
The United Kingdom announced it will send fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to help defend against attacks by the Houthi group in Yemen, stressing that the aircraft will operate solely in a defensive role and will not launch attacks against the Houthis.
On Tuesday, 20 Oct 2026 GMT+7, the UK government announced it will deploy British fighter jets to assist Saudi Arabia in defending against attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have intensified assaults on Riyadh and other cities over recent months.
The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “The United Kingdom will conduct defensive air missions to support the protection of Saudi Arabia’s cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial attacks, using RAF Typhoon fighter jets.”
The statement added that these aircraft will operate exclusively in a defensive capacity and will not carry out offensive operations against the Houthi group.
Additionally, the UK will provide the RAF A400M military transport aircraft to move defense equipment within Saudi Arabia and send military advisors to support Saudi staff officers.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said, “The continuous attacks by the Houthi group on our ally Saudi Arabia are utterly reprehensible, especially targeting Riyadh's airport, demonstrating how far the Houthis are escalating the regional situation.”
“That is why today I have approved further UK military support, with RAF Typhoon jets undertaking defensive air missions to help safeguard Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.”
This UK military assistance comes amid escalating Houthi attacks, including strikes on civilian targets such as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
This latest military deployment builds on prior UK defensive military support for Saudi Arabia, including air defense equipment designed to counter missiles and drones.
/foreign news updates:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cna