Saudi Arabia gets UK military support amid Houthi attacks

The United Kingdom has pledged additional military assistance to Saudi Arabia in response to renewed Houthi attacks in the region. The UK's Royal Air Force will deploy a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft to bolster Saudi defensive operations against the Yemeni government. This support follows existing contributions, including deployment of air defence equipment and personnel to counter missile and drone attacks.

The escalating tensions in the Gulf could disrupt energy supplies, potentially leading to higher prices for households and businesses in Britain. The UK government described the Houthis as a "dangerous threat to regional stability in the Middle East," emphasizing the importance of preventing their success for both national economic and security interests.

Following Saudi retaliation against the Houthis, which targeted provinces in Yemen, the Houthis confirmed the death of six civilians, including two young girls, in the city of Al-Mukha. The movement threatened dire consequences for Saudi Arabia, stating that the "massacres committed by the criminal Saudi enemy against the sons of our people will have dire consequences for it."

Several Western countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, expressed concern over developments in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In a joint statement with the European Union, these allies deemed the situation in Yemen an "unacceptable threat" to regional security, global energy security, and freedom of navigation.

They urged the Houthis to cease military actions, threats, and attacks against civilian shipping, and to return to political negotiations in good faith. The G7 foreign ministers also called on Iran to cease arming and supporting the Houthis, in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.