British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited military support to Saudi Arabia to assist in countering attacks from Yemen’s Houthi movement. Speaking to reporters while en route to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, Burnham confirmed that the Royal Air Force would conduct air-to-air refueling for Saudi aircraft.
"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 refueling," Burnham stated. He noted that the agreement is "time-limited" and will be subject to ongoing review.
The request for support from Saudi Arabia follows a resurgence in conflict between the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. The Houthis have conducted missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia, including a recent interception of an attack targeting Riyadh. Additionally, they have made territorial gains in Yemen, capturing the port city of Mocha and strategic islands in the Red Sea, which enhances their ability to monitor shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical route for global trade.
Burnham emphasized that the UK is acting to protect British interests and regional stability, stating, "Saudi Arabia has been experiencing attacks, is looking at potential further disruption, and we need to keep those pathways [for oil] open." The UK’s military mission will focus on supporting Saudi aircraft in defending against drone and missile attacks, rather than conducting offensive operations against the Houthis, according to reports from the PA news agency. The military agreement is expected to begin in the coming days, with one RAF Voyager aircraft designated for refueling Saudi planes on defensive missions.
The UK and Saudi Arabia have maintained a close military partnership for decades, with the UK being one of Saudi Arabia's largest arms suppliers. Earlier this year, the UK deployed its Sky Sabre air defense system to Saudi Arabia to bolster its defenses against Iranian missile threats amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel.