LONDON: The British government has decided to provide limited air defence support to Saudi Arabia in response to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.
According to the British prime minister, the decision was taken following a request from Saudi Arabia for military assistance. Under the arrangement, the United Kingdom will deploy an aircraft from its base in Cyprus to support Saudi air defence operations.
British officials said the aircraft will provide aerial refuelling support to Saudi fighter jets involved in operations against Houthi drones and ballistic missiles. The assistance is initially expected to continue for several weeks.
In recent days, the Houthis have carried out drone and missile attacks targeting areas including the Saudi capital Riyadh and energy facilities along the Red Sea coast.
The British government said the maritime routes passing through the Red Sea are critically important to the global economy and highlighted the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the region.