Britain said on October 22 it had sent air-defence systems and refuelling aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The move adds to military support announced two days earlier, including fighter jets to defend against Houthi attacks on cities, airports and oil facilities.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the equipment had been sent in remarks carried by broadcaster Al Arabiya. It remains unclear when the Royal Air Force Typhoons will arrive or how many will be deployed.

Defensive patrols and wider military support

The ministry said the Typhoons would protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from missiles and drones. Their mission would be defensive, with no strikes on Houthi targets inside Yemen.

Britain is also providing an A400M military transport aircraft to move defence equipment within Saudi Arabia. British military advisers will work with Saudi staff officers as part of the support package.

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The ministry has also extended air-to-air refuelling support previously agreed for Saudi air operations. Those operations include attacks on Houthi military targets in Yemen, even though the British fighters themselves will not conduct strikes there.

Airports and oil facilities under attack

The Houthis, a Yemeni armed group also known as Ansar Allah, have repeatedly attacked Saudi targets with missiles and drones. Those targets include oil facilities and the main airport in the capital, Riyadh.

Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha this month killed 19 people. More than 300 others were injured, he said.

Two people were killed by debris from an intercepted drone aimed at the Shaybah oilfield, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing the Energy Ministry. Two others were injured.

A separate attack on the airport in Dammam killed one person and injured eight others, some seriously, Saudi authorities said. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the Houthi attacks, singling out the targeting of Riyadh airport.

Concern over deeper involvement

Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government in its fighting with the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition has also carried out airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.

Burcu Ozcelik, a Middle East security researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, a defence research organisation, warned of further escalation. She said insufficient deterrence could encourage the Houthis to test Saudi defences and try to draw the kingdom’s allies deeper into the conflict.