London

The United Kingdom has agreed to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in response to Houthi attacks in Yemen, following repeated attacks against the Kingdom by Iran-backed militants.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that London had received a request from Saudi Arabia for military assistance and that he approved the request last night on the advice of the Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary.

The support will be defensive in nature and will include aerial refueling capabilities.

Burnham made the remarks to reporters while traveling to New York to attend meetings of the United Nations General Assembly.