UK considers military support for Saudis against Houthis, report says

The UK government is reportedly contemplating providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia in its conflict against the Houthis in Yemen. This decision comes after Saudi Arabia requested operational support from the British government, as reported by Bloomberg. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have recently taken control of parts of Yemen's coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial Red Sea passage for Saudi Arabian oil shipments.

If the Houthis manage to control this strategic location, it could severely impact international shipping, potentially leading to a surge in energy prices in Britain.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reportedly been advised that a repair of the damage caused by a recent drone attack on the East-West Pipeline, which transports nearly four percent of the global oil supply, might take between five to six weeks. The pipeline attack, coupled with Houthi offensives, has significantly impacted the global oil market, causing oil prices to soar in recent weeks.

The Houthis' attack on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan's defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, as Pakistan and Turkey, who recently signed a joint defence pact with Riyadh, have not extended their support to the kingdom at this time.