# UK sends fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthis

> British RAF Typhoons will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia to protect against attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
- Title: UK sends fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthis
- Summary: British RAF Typhoons will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia to protect against attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The UK is deploying RAF Typhoon…
- Keywords: uk military, saudi arabia, houthis, iran, raf typhoon, middle east, wes streeting, andy burnham, politics, news, sends, fighter
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-jets-saudi-arabia-iran-houthi-attacks-latest-b3069818.html
- Published: 2026-10-20T13:23:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uk military, saudi arabia, houthis, iran, raf typhoon, middle east, wes streeting, andy burnham, politics, news
## UK deploys Typhoons to Saudi Arabia
Defence secretary Wes Streeting has approved RAF Typhoon fighter jets to fly defensive counter air missions protecting Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from Houthi aerial attacks.

> The continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable
## Riyadh airport attack kills at least thirteen
Houthi rebels launched an attack on Riyadh airport that killed at least thirteen people and wounded over three hundred, exposing vulnerabilities in Saudi Arabia's defence structure.
## Broader pattern of Houthi strikes
The Riyadh attack is part of a broader sequence of Houthi strikes hitting Saudi airports since last week, signalling a dangerous turn in an expanding Middle East conflict.
## UK support builds on existing commitment
Prime minister Andy Burnham previously announced British planes would provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets. A Voyager aircraft has already completed fourteen operational missions.

> I can confirm today it has already completed fourteen operational missions
## Key takeaway

The UK is deploying RAF Typhoon fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia against aerial attacks from Houthi rebels, following a deadly strike on Riyadh airport.