UK to provide ‘defence’ support to Saudi Arabia against Houthis: Why Britain is stepping in as US holds back | Today’s news
Britain has agreed to provide limited “defensive” military support to Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faces an increasing wave of missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the BBC has reported.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the Royal Air Force (RAF) will provide air-to-air defensive refueling to Saudi aircraft under a limited-time arrangement that will begin in the coming days, according to the BBC.
He said the mission would involve a single RAF Voyager aircraft and was initially expected to last several weeks, although the UK government would monitor the deployment.
Why is Britain getting involved
The British prime minister said the move was aimed at protecting Britain’s interests and helping to keep vital regional energy routes open.
He reportedly said that the UK had received a formal request from Saudi Arabia and that he had approved it after taking advice from the British defense and foreign secretaries.
The decision follows a sharp escalation in fighting between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
The Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, including an attack on Riyadh that was intercepted on Saturday.
The Houthis have also expanded their position inside Yemen, including taking control of the port city of Mocha and key Red Sea islands, according to The Guardian.
These positions give the group a greater ability to monitor shipping around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime hub through which roughly 12% of global trade normally passes.
According to the AP agency, one RAF Voyager aircraft is expected to be deployed in the coming days.
The UK has also previously deployed its Sky Saber air defense system in Saudi Arabia to help protect the kingdom from missile threats, the AP report said.
The British move comes against the backdrop of a different approach from Washington.
The United States has previously carried out military strikes against the Houthis under both the Biden and Trump administrations.
But amid the latest escalation, Washington has so far refrained from launching a new direct military campaign against the group in response to Saudi demands.
Read also | Turkey signals military support to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis
According to a New York Times report cited in the media, US President Donald Trump considered strikes against Houthi positions after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appealed for US intervention, but ultimately decided against the action due to fears of further escalation.
Saudi Arabia is seeking additional air defense support from its partners as Houthi attacks intensify.
The Associated Press reported that Riyadh had asked countries including France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense capabilities to help protect the kingdom from missiles and drones fired by the Houthis and other Iran-backed groups.
The escalation also threatens one of the world’s key maritime trade routes.
Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is the main gateway for ships traveling between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.
