UK to Deploy Fighter Jets for Defensive Missions Over Saudi Arabia
publishers 21articles 21first reported 18 Oct, 15:21 UTCdeveloping since 18 Oct · 11 editions
Britain will deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to help defend the kingdom against escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, the British government said Tuesday.
The aircraft will conduct defensive missions over Saudi airspace and will not carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence. Britain will also send an A400M Atlas transport aircraft to help move defence equipment within Saudi Arabia, while British military advisers will support Saudi staff officers.
The deployment follows a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi targets, including attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that caused fatalities, flight cancellations and property damage. Saudi Aramco facilities were also targeted.
“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable,” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. He said the airport attack demonstrated an escalation by the Houthis and that the new missions would build on British personnel and equipment already in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Defence said Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government have the right to defend themselves, while warning that escalating Gulf violence could disrupt energy supplies, increase costs for British households and businesses, and worsen civilian suffering in Yemen.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 66 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 21
- Source articles
- 21
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 66 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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