UK to provide Saudi Arabia with 'defensive' military support, says Burnham
The agreement will last for weeks and involve one RAF Voyager refueling Saudi planes on defensive missions, officials said.
- On Monday, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced Britain will provide defensive air-to-air refueling support to Saudi Arabia to counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks.
- Intensified Houthi strikes on Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping lanes in the Red Sea prompted the request, as rebels seek to disrupt global pathways through which 12% of world trade passes.
- Britain will deploy one Royal Air Force Voyager plane for the time-limited mission, while Burnham confirmed he would lobby other nations to bolster Riyadh's defensive capabilities.
- Burnham stated the action aims to secure regional stability and protect Britain's interests amid "cost of living pressures," emphasizing "we need to keep those pathways open."
- As he travels to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the decision represents Burnham's first major military authorization since taking office.
23 Articles
23 Articles
UK PM Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday he had agreed to a request from Saudi Arabia to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for a limited time period, a move he described as helping to stabilise the wider region. Riyadh requested support after the Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, a new front in the wider war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late …
The Straits Times
BizTocUK's Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support
LONDON, Sept 21 - British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday he had agreed to a request from Saudi Arabia to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for a limited time period, a move he described as helping to stabilise the wider region. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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