The UK will provide additional defensive military support to the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following renewed Houthi attacks and
escalating violence in the region.
Following a request from the Saudi Arabian Government, the UK has
agreed to provide an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft
to support Saudi defensive activity in support of the legitimate
government of Yemen.
Escalating tensions in the Gulf can have a serious impact at home
in the UK increasing prices, disruption to energy supplies, and
extra costs for British businesses. The Houthis are a
dangerous threat to regional stability in the Middle East, and it
is in the UK's national economic and security interest that they
do not succeed.
We unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and
are clear that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of
Yemen have the right to defend themselves.
The support builds on the UK's existing military contribution to
Saudi Arabia's air defence, including the deployment of air
defence equipment and UK personnel helping to protect against
missile and drone attacks.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen are long-standing partners of the United
Kingdom and play a vital role in regional stability. It is in the
UK's interest to protect regional stability, protecting vital
trade and energy supplies and encouraging a diplomatic resolution
to the conflict in Yemen.
