The United Kingdom has pledged additional military support to Saudi Arabia, including Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets for defensive air missions, days after Egypt, home to Africa’s strongest military, offered to help the kingdom counter escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
- The UK announced increased military support for Saudi Arabia, including deploying RAF Typhoon fighter jets for defensive air missions.
- These operations aim to protect Saudi cities and infrastructure from aerial attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, but will not involve offensive strikes.
- Britain will also provide a transport aircraft and military advisers to assist Saudi staff, building on existing air-defense cooperation.
- Egypt has also pledged potential support to Saudi Arabia but clarified its involvement would be defensive and any troop deployment would need parliamentary approval.
In an operational update published on October 20, the UK Ministry of Defence said the RAF fighter jets would protect Saudi cities and critical national infrastructure from aerial attacks. The aircraft will operate defensively and will not carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis.
The move follows renewed attacks on Saudi targets, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as the conflict involving the Iran-aligned Houthi movement intensifies.
“The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable,” UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. “The targeting of the airport in Riyadh in particular shows the lengths the Houthis are going to escalate the situation in the region.”
Streeting said he had approved further support, adding that “RAF Typhoons will fly defensive air missions to help protect Saudi airspace from drones and missiles.”
"We unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks on civilian targets like King Khalid International Airport and are clear that Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen have the right to defend themselves." the statement noted.
Egypt’s pledge puts Africa’s strongest military in the spotlight
The British commitment follows Egypt’s pledge to provide Saudi Arabia with support as the kingdom seeks help from allies to defend its territory and infrastructure.
In an earlier publication, Business Insider Africa reported that the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has sought parliamentary authorisation to intervene in Saudi Arabia’s defence if Riyadh requests assistance.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on October 17, he said: “I am not speaking about attacking or waging war. We are seeking only to defend.”
Egypt’s National Defence Council subsequently pledged “all necessary and possible forms of support” to protect Saudi Arabia’s security, territory and Islamic holy sites.
Cairo has not confirmed a deployment of troops or fighter jets. Any Egyptian combat mission abroad would require parliamentary approval, and the nature of any assistance remains uncertain.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had earlier told Bloomberg Television: “Whatever is being asked by the Saudis, of course we will respond.” He also said Egypt was prepared to provide support without reservation, without specifying its form.
The UK said the attacks threaten regional stability and could disrupt energy supplies, raise living costs and increase costs for British businesses. It also condemned attacks on civilian targets and said Saudi Arabia and Yemen had the right to defend themselves.
While London is adding aircraft and personnel to Saudi Arabia’s defences, the British government has maintained that its support is defensive.