UK to deploy Typhoon jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthis

The United Kingdom will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi missile and drone attacks, BBC News and the Guardian reported on Tuesday. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in a written statement that the aircraft will operate in a strictly defensive role to protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure, and will not execute offensive strikes against Houthi forces. [1][2][5][8][9]

The military deployment follows Houthi drone and ballistic missile strikes targeted at the Saudi capital Riyadh as well as energy sites along the coast, BBC News reported. Outlets present differing details regarding executive oversight for the mission. The Guardian cited the operation as the most significant military mission signed off by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, while BBC News attributed the policy statement to Defence Secretary Wes Streeting. [1][2]

The defensive action comes after security fears forced Saudi Arabia to postpone its Future Investment Initiative, also known as Davos in the desert, the New York Post and other outlets reported. The international summit, which had been scheduled to begin on 26 October in Riyadh, was postponed until next year and eventually moved to 2027, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal cited in the New York Post. [3][4][6][7][10]

The Houthi movement is an armed group based in Yemen that is engaged in a domestic civil war and the broader Red Sea crisis. International security measures have tightened across the region recently. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Australia previously updated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to do not travel, while Egypt pledged full military and diplomatic support to help defend Saudi territory. [1][12][14][15]