UK Announces Provision of Defensive Military Aid to Saudi Arabia to Counter Houthi Attacks

London, October 20 (KUNA) -- British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting announced on Tuesday that his country has agreed to provide additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia to counter the escalating attacks by Houthi militias, including the deployment of British Typhoon fighter jets to carry out defensive air sorties aimed at protecting Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.

In a statement, Streeting said, “The continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly the targeting of Riyadh Airport, are highly condemnable and reflect their efforts to escalate tensions in the region. For this reason, I have approved the provision of additional military support today. Typhoon jets will conduct defensive air sorties to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.” This move reinforces the British equipment and personnel already present in the Kingdom to help counter Houthi aerial attacks.

For its part, the British Ministry of Defense stated in a separate announcement that the new support will bolster the UK’s existing defensive contribution to Saudi Arabia, which includes the deployment of air defense equipment to counter missiles and drones, as well as the extension of aerial refueling services to support Saudi defensive air operations and target the military capabilities of the Houthis in Yemen, which threaten both the Saudi and Yemeni peoples. (End)