UK to aid Saudi against Houthis
The gist
UK PM Andy Burnham confirmed Britain will give Saudi Arabia defensive air-to-air refuelling against Houthi attacks.
The mission is time-limited to weeks and marks his first authorisation of military action.
How it unfolded
- Sep 12, 2026Houthi fighters escorted a convoy carrying prisoners freed in Mokha through the Bani Matar district toward Sanaa, following the Houthi takeover of the southern Red Sea port city.
- Sep 16, 2026A UK energy minister said the United Kingdom is providing air defence to Saudi Arabia through its strategic partnership, but would not be drawn on whether Britain is assisting counter-attacks against the Houthis.
- Sep 19, 2026A Houthi attack on Riyadh was the first to target the Saudi capital in years and a major escalation.