U.K. to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks

The U.K. has announced plans to deploy Royal Air Force Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia to conduct defensive counter-air operations against attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This move comes as the U.N. warns of a potential humanitarian crisis in the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz, where Houthi strikes have killed two people and wounded six. The U.N. also reports that the death toll from a Houthi missile strike on a government training camp in southern Yemen has risen to 73.

Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the British jets would focus on shooting down airborne drones or missiles, rather than striking Houthi targets on the ground. The U.K. is also sending a military transport and an unspecified number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the country is extending its offer to provide in-air refueling for Saudi planes engaged in operations against the Houthi rebels for another 90 days.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, an Israeli attack on an apartment before dawn killed a husband and wife and wounded others. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a Hamas militant. Other Israeli strikes on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least four people. Israel’s military has killed more than 1,500 Palestinians in Gaza since the country and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire last year, according to the territory’s health ministry, which is regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

The health ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its casualty toll but notes that women and children account for nearly half of those killed. The ministry maintains detailed records of the deaths, which are considered accurate by international observers.

The situation in Yemen highlights the ongoing conflict involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition. The U.K.’s military support underscores the complex web of regional alliances and the humanitarian challenges faced by civilians caught in the crossfire. As the conflict continues, the need for accountability and protection of the vulnerable remains a pressing concern.

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