The United Kingdom is considering providing diplomatic, technical and military support to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh requested assistance to counter the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a Bloomberg report.
Saudi Arabia has asked the government of British Prime Minister Andy Burnham for technical and military support to prevent the Houthis from advancing south towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait and to help defend against attacks, the report said.
The Houthis have recently seized control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline near the strategically important strait. They subsequently launched an attack on the East-West Pipeline, which carries around 4% of global oil supplies. Reuters reported that repairs to the pipeline could take Saudi Arabia five to six weeks following the drone attack.
The growing Houthi presence around the Red Sea’s key shipping route has already contributed to rising oil prices in global markets, amid wider instability in the Middle East.
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has further intensified concerns over regional security and energy supplies. British officials have reportedly warned that Houthi control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait could severely disrupt international shipping and potentially push up energy prices in the UK.
Burnham has reportedly agreed to send British military advisers to assist Saudi Arabia. However, London has not formally confirmed whether it will provide additional military support to Riyadh.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also reportedly made a similar request to the United States, although Washington has yet to publicly comment on the appeal.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband spoke by phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday and said the UK stood firmly with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Meanwhile, three people, including two children, were reportedly killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province, according to Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah television.
The Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, said 13 civilians were wounded in Houthi attacks on the cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Monday.
Saudi Arabia recently signed a joint defence agreement with Pakistan and Turkey, but neither country has so far stepped forward to provide military assistance. A Turkish official reportedly said the agreement had not yet entered into force, which was why Ankara had not provided support.
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