British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he has accepted a request for “defensive” air refueling from Saudi planes. Published September 22, 2026 September 22, 2026 The United Kingdom has agreed to provide limited military support to Saudi Arabia to help it repel attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, according to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. “We have received a request for military support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and, on the advice of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, last night I accepted that request for defensive air-to-air refueling,” he said. The agreement has a “limited duration” and will be kept under review, he added. Saudi Arabia had asked the United Kingdom for support after the conflict between the Houthis and those in Yemen. The Saudi-backed government has revived itself in recent weeks. The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, including one that targeted Riyadh on Saturday before being intercepted. They have also advanced into Yemen, seizing the crucial port city of Mocha and key Red Sea islands, allowing them to better monitor maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandeb, through which about 12 percent of world trade normally passes. Saudi has been experiencing attacks, is considering potential further disruption, and we must maintain those pathways. [for oil] open.”The UK mission will be limited to supporting Saudi aircraft defending the country from drone and missile attacks rather than supporting strikes against the Houthis, the Palestinian Authority news agency reported. UK officials say the latest military deal will begin in the coming days and will involve an RAF Voyager refueling Saudi aircraft on “defensive” missions. The UK and Saudi Arabia have been close military allies for decades, and London is one of the biggest suppliers. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom deployed its Sky Saber aircraft defense system to Saudi Arabia to help protect it from Iranian missile attacks during the United States and Israel’s war against Iran.
