The United Kingdom says it will deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia against Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said on Tuesday that the aircraft would operate in a defensive role and would not launch offensive strikes against the Houthis.
“These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis,” he said, announcing additional UK military support for Saudi Arabia.
Streeting described the Houthis’ continued attacks on Saudi Arabia as “absolutely despicable”, adding that the reported strike on Riyadh’s airport showed the extent of the group’s escalation of tensions in the region.
Yemen’s Houthi militants struck King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring more than 300.
