UK Agrees To Provide Defensive Military Support To Saudi Arabia Against Houthis

UK To Deploy RAF Voyager To Refuel Saudi Jets Amid Houthi Offensive

London, September 22: The United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited defensive military support to Saudi Arabia following a formal request from Riyadh amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that the Royal Air Force will provide air-to-air refuelling support for Saudi fighter jets. The operation is expected to begin in the coming days and last several weeks, subject to review.

The UK’s assistance will involve an RAF Voyager tanker aircraft supporting Saudi aircraft on defensive missions. British officials have indicated that the mission is intended to help Saudi Arabia defend against incoming drones and missiles, rather than support offensive strikes against Houthi positions.

The decision comes as the Houthi movement, which has controlled Yemen’s capital since 2014, continues to pose a security challenge to Saudi Arabia and regional shipping. Recent Houthi advances in Yemen, including the reported capture of the port city of Mokha and key Red Sea islands, have increased concerns over maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The strategic waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a major route for international trade. British officials have linked the military assistance to the need to protect regional stability and keep vital oil and shipping routes open.

The UK has maintained close military ties with Saudi Arabia for decades. The latest refuelling arrangement comes in addition to the Sky Sabre air defence system already deployed in the kingdom.