The Royal Air Force is to mount a defensive shield operation over Saudi Arabia to protect the Kingdom from missile attacks by Houthi rebels.
RAF sources confirmed the mission template this morning following weeks of airstrikes by the Iranian-backed group based in neighbouring Yemen.
Downing Street has insisted that defending Saudi Arabia is in the UK’s economic and security interests and that Britain is not being drawn into the conflict.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said today: ‘RAF Typhoon aircraft will conduct defensive counter-air operations over Saudi Arabia, helping to protect Saudi cities, civilian populations and critical national infrastructure from Houthi attack.
‘These aircraft will operate in a defensive role and will not conduct offensive strikes against the Houthis.’
Operating with backing from Tehran, the Houthis are seeking to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s oil exports. The militants have also launched a series of deadly strikes on the country’s airports.
Saudi Arabia is a key regional ally of the UK, and British personnel are deployed to the country as military advisers.
Last year, the RAF launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, with Typhoon jets striking buildings at military sites used to manufacture attack drones 15 miles from the capital, Sanaa.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have also carried out attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Those attacks reduced shipping in the area by 55 per cent, costing billions of pounds.
An RAF Eurofighter Typhoon takes off from RAF Coningsby. The British aircraft will be helping to protect Saudi cities, civilian populations and critical national infrastructure
A Written Ministerial Statement confirming the impending deployment of RAF assets to Saudi is expected later today.
According to defence sources, Typhoons will fly defensive missions to protect Saudi cities and industrial infrastructure.
The RAF is also expected to send a A400 transport aircraft to provide supplies as part of a move signed off by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Last month Mr Burnham sent British jets to help defend oil infrastructure.
The Prime Minister said in September that the RAF would provide air-to-air refuelling support for jets shooting down drones and missiles fired by the Houthis.
Houthi rebels in Yemen have been hitting the Kingdom with persistent and deadly missile strikes for weeks.
Saudi Arabia‘s terrified Crown Prince has been forced into hiding as Houthi rebels continue to hit Riyadh, a report has claimed.
Mohammed bin Salman, 41, has been moving between heavily guarded palaces with bunkers, according to officials.
Earlier this month, the Kingdom was struck by its deadliest attack in a decade when a projectile hit King Khalid International Airport, killing 13 and injuring hundreds.
The Saudi capital’s airport was struck again yesterday, leaving one dead and 11 injured.
After this serious escalation in the war between the Saudi-led coalition government and Iran-backed Houthi fighters, Donald Trump warned the US could intervene.
Trump waded in on the conflict, telling reporters he ‘may’ join a counter attack after the Saudis vowed to retaliate.
As the Houthi strikes on Riyadh intensify the terrified crown prince has been closely guarded out of sight, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Surveillance footage shows the moment the passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked on Saturday October 10
The UK has warned against travel to Saudi Arabia – advising British nationals to ‘continue to avoid King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh until the airport is secure’
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 41, meeting Donald Trump last year… he has been forced into hiding and is reportedly moving between heavily guarded palaces with bunkers
According to Saudi officials: ‘The 41-year-old crown prince is shuttling between heavily guarded palaces equipped with bunkers and is guarded by a handpicked security team.’
Schools across Riyadh have been forced to close and are operating with remote learning as Houthi attacks intensify.
It comes after President Trump last month described the Crown Prince as a ‘good friend’.
When asked by reporters about the momentum that Houthi fighters were gaining in Yemen, he said: ‘Everything is gonna work out fine and dandy. It’s gonna be very good.’
And yesterday, when quizzed about US involvement in the conflict, the President said he is ‘going to look at it’.
The Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia on Sunday drew widespread criticism as the UK and EU condemned the attacks and reaffirmed their support for the country.
