The United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited military support to Saudi Arabia following a request from Riyadh amid an increase in attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would provide defensive air-to-air refuelling support for a limited period. The assistance is expected to begin in the coming days and will involve one RAF Voyager aircraft.
The refuelling aircraft will allow Saudi military aircraft to remain in the air for longer periods without having to return to base as frequently. The UK has described the assistance as defensive support and has not announced plans to deploy British combat aircraft for operations against the Houthis.
The decision follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. The UK government has previously condemned the attacks, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure, and has called on the Houthis to end their military escalation.
The security situation has worsened in recent weeks as the Houthis have expanded their military activities in Yemen and carried out missile and drone attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has also carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
The conflict is taking place against the background of wider tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli military action against Iran. The renewed fighting has raised concerns about regional security, energy supplies and important shipping routes around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Britain has said that its support for Saudi Arabia is intended to contribute to regional stability and help protect important routes used for international trade. The UK has also called for the Houthis to stop their attacks and for efforts toward a political solution in Yemen to continue.
The deployment of the Voyager aircraft represents a limited form of British military assistance. Its duration will be reviewed as the situation develops, while London continues to monitor the wider conflict and its impact on regional security.