UK's Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Monday that he has approved Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling support for a limited period. The move, described by Burnham as helping to stabilise the wider region, comes after the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, marking a new front in the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Speaking to reporters as he travelled to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting, Burnham explained that the decision was made on the advice of the defence secretary and the foreign secretary. He highlighted the ongoing threats faced by Saudi Arabia, stating that the assistance was necessary to maintain open pathways and support regional stability.