Kathmandu (Everest News Agency): The United Kingdom has agreed to provide “defensive air support” to Saudi Arabia in response to ongoing attacks on the kingdom by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that the decision was made following a formal request for military assistance from Saudi Arabia.
As part of this assistance, the UK is preparing to deploy an RAF Voyager aircraft stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The tanker aircraft will provide air-to-air refuel operations for Saudi fighter jets. Officials stated that the mission will begin in the coming days and is initially expected to be time-limited, lasting for several weeks.
The deployment follows recent claims by Houthi rebels regarding drone and missile strikes targeting the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as well as energy facilities along the Red Sea coast. British officials clarified that the proposed defensive support is designed strictly to assist the Saudi Air Force in intercepting incoming Houthi drones and missiles rather than conducting offensive strikes inside Yemen.
Prime Minister Burnham emphasized that the aid is intended to safeguard regional stability and British economic interests amidst ongoing security threats. He noted that maintaining safety along Red Sea maritime routes is critical for the global economy. The action follows previous UK-US joint airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in 2024. The conflict between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized Yemeni government has been ongoing since 2014, with Saudi Arabia backing the Yemeni government and Iran supporting the Houthis.
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