New Delhi: The United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited military support to Saudi Arabia amid a fresh escalation in Houthi attacks, British Prime Minister
Andy Burnham said on Monday.
Burnham said London had accepted a formal request from Riyadh for ‘defensive air-to-air refuelling’ of Saudi aircraft. The support will be provided for a limited period and will be kept under review.
“We have received a request from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for military support, and on the advice of the defence secretary and the foreign secretary, last night I agreed to that request for defensive air-to-air refuelling,” Burnham told reporters while travelling to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The UK is expected to deploy one RAF Voyager tanker aircraft in the coming days. British officials said the aircraft would support Saudi planes carrying out defensive missions against incoming drones and missiles, rather than directly supporting Saudi strikes against Houthi targets.
UK support comes after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
The decision follows a sharp increase in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed Yemeni group has launched missiles and drones at Saudi targets, including an attack aimed at Riyadh on Saturday that was intercepted by Saudi air defences.
The Houthis have also expanded their position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Their reported capture of the port city of Mocha and key Red Sea islands has raised concerns over shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a major global trade route.
Burnham said Britain was acting to protect its own interests as well as regional stability. He said Saudi Arabia was facing attacks and that it was important to keep oil supply routes open.
Britain has backed Saudi Arabia amid wider regional tensions
The UK and Saudi Arabia have maintained close military ties for decades, with Britain among the kingdom’s major arms suppliers.
London had earlier deployed its Sky Sabre air-defence system to Saudi Arabia to help protect the kingdom from Iranian missile attacks during the wider US-Israel conflict with Iran. The UK government has also publicly condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, warning that the violence threatens regional stability, civilian safety and freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.
