The Prime Minister of Britain, Andy Burnham, announced that his country will provide limited military assistance to Saudi Arabia in countering the attacks of Houthi rebels in Yemen. Burnham, during his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, told reporters that the Royal Air Force (RAF) will provide 'defensive' air refueling for Saudi aircraft.
Details of Military Assistance
Burnham emphasized that Britain has received a request for military assistance from Saudi Arabia. He also added that this action is necessary to protect Britain's interests and the region, as Saudi Arabia is under continuous attacks and must keep oil transit routes open. According to reports, this agreement, which will begin soon, is time-limited and may last for several weeks.
Role of the Royal Air Force
This mission will involve the use of the RAF Voyager tanker and will support Saudi aircraft in defending the country against drone and missile attacks. Meanwhile, Britain's Sky Saber air defense system has previously been deployed in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this mission is to support Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks and prevent further aggression in the country.
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the legitimate government of Yemen in its fight against Houthi rebels. In July, a 2022 ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia was disrupted due to the landing of an Iranian aircraft in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, which violated Saudi control over Yemen's airspace.
Recent Houthi attacks on Riyadh marked the first time in recent years that the Saudi capital has been targeted. Additionally, the Houthis have announced that they have imposed a blockade on Saudi navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is a vital global shipping route. Besides Saudi-linked vessels, oil facilities within Saudi Arabia have also come under drone and missile attacks from the Houthis.
Global Reactions
Foreign ministers of the G7 countries condemned the Houthi attacks in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia on Monday and called on Iran to stop its support for these rebels. The statement also urged the Houthis to immediately cease all military actions, threats, and attacks against civilian vessels and return to the political process in good faith.
Read more: Houthi Attacks on Riyadh Near Airport
