UK agrees support for Saudi Arabia in struggle with Houthis

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in their battle against attacks from the Iran-backed Houthis, media reports disclosed on Monday. During his visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Burnham informed reporters that British planes would offer defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets.

According to the PA news agency, the UK mission will solely focus on assisting Saudi aircraft in defending the nation from drone and missile attacks, rather than supporting assaults on the Houthis.

The deployment of the Voyager tanker, which will commence within days, is part of the time-limited mission that could span several weeks. This refuelling endeavour complements the UK's existing Sky Sabre air defence system, which is already in place within Saudi Arabia. Burnham stated that his decision to honor Saudi Arabia's request was driven by the need to safeguard the interests of both Britain and the broader region.

He explained that Saudi Arabia has faced attacks, is concerned about potential further disruptions, and requires the preservation of open pathways for trade and commerce.

The Houthi attack on Riyadh on Saturday marked the first such assault on the Saudi capital in years, representing a significant escalation in the conflict. Throughout the month, the Houthis, who had previously controlled most of Yemen's populated regions, launched a swift offensive to seize control of the entire Red Sea coast, granting them access to the crucial Bab al-Mandab strait.

Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition in support of the internationally recognized government, which has exacerbated the ongoing war, resulting in one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises in the impoverished country.