UK boosts military support for Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions

Britain has announced a decision to increase its military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Under the move, Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets will be deployed to carry out defensive patrols over Saudi airspace.

A military transport aircraft and a number of military advisers have also been sent to support the mission. British officials have stressed that the fighter jets’ mission is purely defensive and that they will not take part in offensive operations against Yemen.

The increase in support comes as Saudi Arabia is accused of continuing attacks on civilian areas in Yemen and of imposing a blockade on the country, but this issue has not been taken into account in London’s decision-making, with the focus instead placed on security concerns for Saudi Arabia and regional security.

Britain’s approach comes at a time when the Yemen crisis has created wide-ranging humanitarian and security consequences, and there has been heavy criticism of Saudi Arabia’s actions and foreign support for them.