Afghanistan, Sept. 22 -- Britain will provide Saudi Arabia with defensive air-to-air refuelling support after Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, marking a new phase of UK military assistance in the escalating Yemen conflict.
The announcement follows a formal request from Riyadh for military support after Houthi forces targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and energy infrastructure along the Red Sea coast. Burnham said he approved the request after consultations with Britain's defense and foreign ministers.
British officials said the mission is expected to begin within days and will involve a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The d...