UK to refuel Saudi jets after Houthi attacks

Britain has agreed to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi warplanes after increased attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, the UK government confirmed late Monday.

A British RAF Voyager tanker is expected to help refuel British-built Typhoon aircraft used by Saudi Arabia. Officials indicated the mission could start within days and last for weeks.

UK defence minister Luke Pollard told Sky News on Tuesday that Britain was acting for national security reasons. “In dangerous times, good friends stand together,” he said, adding that the support would comply with international humanitarian law.

The support follows a Saudi request after the Houthis increased drone and missile attacks on the kingdom in recent weeks and advanced to capture Yemen's Red Sea coast. A Houthi attack on Riyadh on Saturday was the first to target the Saudi capital in years.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the support as he travelled to the UN General Assembly in New York. He said he had agreed to the Saudi request to secure Britain's interests and those of the wider Middle East.

The refuelling mission is in addition to a UK Sky Sabre air defence system already deployed by Britain. G7 countries have called on the Houthis to halt strikes on Saudi Arabia.