EXCLUSIVE with @FionamMacDonald

The UK is close to agreeing to provide Saudi Arabia’s military with operational support to counter Houthi fighters, and will lobby other nations to help repel the Iran-backed group

Andy Burnham is minded to offer the Saudi military defensive support after considering requests from Riyadh over the past several days, according to several people familiar with the matter

It would be one of his first significant military decisions since becoming prime minister

Some of the people said it could include things like aerial refuelling. One stressed the importance of the Middle East returning to stability, especially in light of Houthis attacks on Saudi and threats to a key shipping route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Bloomberg reported last week that the UK was considering requests from Riyadh for a range of diplomatic and military support

Burnham has also agreed that the UK government will lobby other nations to also offer support for Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, the people said

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-21/uk-close-to-helping-saudi-arabia-counter-houthi-attacks