The UK will provide Saudi Arabia with “defensive air-to-air refuelling” support following Houthi drone and missile attacks, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.

The support, expected to begin in the coming days, will involve a single RAF Voyager aircraft based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

UK officials said the deployment will be “time limited” and likely last “for weeks.”

Burnham said the move followed a Saudi request for “military support” and was aimed at protecting regional stability and British interests.

“Saudi Arabia has been experiencing attacks, is looking at potential further disruption, and we need to keep those pathways open, and hence our agreement to the request.”

Source: BBC