Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has reaffirmed Britain's defensive military support for Saudi Arabia after a deadly attack on Riyadh's international airport.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, 11 October, Streeting described the Houthi attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and condemned the targeting of civilians.
He said Britain was providing air-defence and air-to-air refuelling assistance, while calling for an end to the conflict.
Saudi authorities report substantial casualties
Saudi civil aviation authorities said Saturday's attack on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Associated Press reporting. Some of the injured were in critical condition.
The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. The casualty figures are attributed to Saudi authorities and may change as further information becomes available.
British assistance announced in September
The Ministry of Defence announced additional defensive support on 22 September following renewed Houthi attacks and a request from the Saudi government.
That announcement confirmed an agreement to provide an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft to support Saudi defensive activity in support of Yemen's internationally recognised government.
The MOD said the aircraft would build on Britain's existing contribution to Saudi air defence, including deployed equipment and UK personnel helping protect against missile and drone attacks.
Reaffirmation rather than a new deployment
Streeting's interview provides a fresh ministerial response to the airport attack. The assistance he described had already been announced; the remarks checked do not establish a new deployment or an expansion of British operations.
The MOD has linked its support to regional stability, protecting trade and energy supplies, and encouraging a diplomatic resolution in Yemen. It warned that escalating Gulf tensions could affect energy prices and costs for British businesses.