RAF Typhoon jets will fly defensive missions over Saudi Arabia after 'absolutely despicable' Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorised his most significant military commitment since taking office. The Ministry of Defence has said the jets will be confined to defensive operations and will not strike Houthi targets. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is deploying military advisers and an A400M transport plane alongside the jets, and has extended RAF refuelling by 90 days. A Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid airport on 10 October killed at least 13 people.
The Typhoons will reportedly operate out of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which was struck by an Iranian drone in March.
Analyst Michael Clarke warned that the RAF's jets are already 'pretty stretched' policing Baltic airspace.
US embassies across the Gulf have warned Americans after an American was killed in the airport strike.
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