The UK will provide time-limited military support to Saudi Arabia to help counter attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and protect regional energy supplies. Prime Minister Andy Burnham authorised defensive air-to-air refuelling, marking his first approval of military action, with the assistance potentially including the interception of drones.

The support is expected within days and may involve one Royal Air Force aircraft, lasting weeks rather than months. Houthi missile and drone attacks have targeted Saudi cities, airports, military bases, energy infrastructure and Red Sea shipping, while fighting in Yemen has reportedly killed nearly 700 people, injured thousands and displaced around 130,000 others.