Photo: Collected
The United Kingdom has decided to give limited military assistance to Saudi Arabia to fend off attacks by the Houthis, Yemen’s pro-Iran armed group. As part of this, the British Royal Air Force will supply fuel in mid-air to Saudi warplanes taking part in anti-Houthi operations.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham gave this information to journalists on Monday on his way to New York in the United States to attend the UN General Assembly session. He said Saudi Arabia had sought military assistance. After consultation with the defence secretary and the foreign secretary, consent was given to that request.
Burnham said this UK assistance will be for a short time and will be used only for defensive purposes. The British government will review the assistance later considering the situation.
In recent weeks, the conflict between Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government has intensified. Amid this, allegations have arisen of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting various installations in Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis claim they carried out a missile attack near the international airport of the Saudi capital Riyadh last Saturday. However, the Saudi authorities say the missile was detected in advance and destroyed.
Meanwhile, the report mentions that the Houthis have further expanded their control inside Yemen. By capturing the important port city of Mokha and several islands in the Red Sea, the group has got the opportunity to increase surveillance on ships passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthis have also threatened to shut down this important sea route. According to the report, about 12 percent of world trade is conducted through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in normal times.
The British prime minister said the decision to assist Saudi Arabia was taken as part of protecting broader regional interests. According to him, Saudi Arabia is under attack and there is a fear that the situation will worsen. In such a situation, it is essential to keep operational the sea routes for transporting important goods including fuel oil.
There is long-standing military cooperation between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The United Kingdom is also one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest arms suppliers.
Earlier this year, the United Kingdom had deployed the ‘Sky Sabre’ air defence system in Saudi Arabia. That system was installed to protect Saudi Arabia from the threat of Iranian missiles during Iran’s conflict with the United States and Israel.
Source: Al Jazeera
