WW1 to Houthis: British jets for Saudi Arabia build on long military bond

According to the Washington Post, the United Kingdom is set to send RAF Typhoon fighter jets to defend cities and national infrastructure in Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants, the U.K. government said Tuesday.[2]Al Jazeera reports that the British Ministry of Defence said the jets will play a "defensive role"[1] and will not carry out attacks against the Iranian-backed armed group.[1] CNBC reports that the U.K. says its jets will fly defensive missions, while its refuelling support also covers strikes on Houthi targets.[3]UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told reporters, according to Al Jazeera, that "the continuing attacks from the Houthis on our ally Saudi Arabia are absolutely despicable."[4]SOFX, citing Saudi authorities, reports that a strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300[5]. SOFX also reports that two regional officials told the Associated Press the kingdom asked Britain, France, Pakistan, and Egypt for air-defense help[5].Al Jazeera says the partnership stretches back more than a century[1] to a treaty signed during the First World War. Outlook India reports that BAE Systems supplied Riyadh with 72 Typhoon fighter jets under a deal initially valued at £4.4 billion.[6]The Aviationist reports that the UK has been trying to sell Saudi Arabia an additional 48 Typhoons[7], but this defence deal has stalled.[7]