London: Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Britain has agreed to provide limited military support to Saudi Arabia to repel attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Speaking to reporters en route to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Burnham said the Royal Air Force will provide air-to-air refuelling of Saudi planes. The agreement is for a matter of weeks but will be kept under review. UK officials said the agreement will start in the coming days and involve one RAF Voyager refuelling Saudi planes on "defensive" missions.

The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government has reignited, with Houthis aiming missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, including one targeting Riyadh on Saturday that was intercepted. The Houthis also declared a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, attacking Saudi-linked vessels and oil facilities. Earlier this month, the Houthis seized the port city of Mokha and key Red Sea islands, allowing them to better monitor shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, through which some 12 percent of world trade normally passes.

Burnham said he was "acting to secure the interests of Britain and the wider region, because of course Saudi Arabia has been experiencing attack, is looking at potential further disruption, and we need to keep those pathways for oil open." Britain has condemned the Houthi attacks and said it will "work with partners to support regional stability, protect civilians and support humanitarian access." The US, which bombed the Houthis under the Biden and Trump administrations, has shown no interest in getting involved militarily this time. The Associated Press reported last week that Saudi Arabia has asked allies including France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt to deploy air-defence support to the region.

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