Britain plans to send RAF Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to protect the kingdom from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, British officials briefed on the plans said on Tuesday.

The move will widen Britain's military support for the kingdom. The jets will fly defensive missions and guard Saudi cities and infrastructure from air strikes. An Atlas A400M military transport plane and military advisers are expected to follow to support the operation.

Britain's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Houthis are an Iran-backed rebel group. In recent weeks they have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen's government forces, targeting airports, energy sites and military sites.

On Monday, Yemeni officials said a Houthi missile hit a training camp of government security forces in Shabwa province, in southern Yemen. Local officials say 58 people were killed and more than 200 were wounded.

In September, after fresh Houthi attacks, London announced extra defence support for Saudi Arabia. It sent an RAF Voyager air refuelling plane, but no fighter jets. The British government says the aid is meant to strengthen the kingdom's defences and keep the region stable as threats to energy supplies and world trade grow.