Brussels – New York: Europe and the Arabs
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved a request from Saudi Arabia to provide military support in the war against the Yemeni Houthis. He explained that a British aerial refueling tanker would refuel Saudi fighter jets in mid-air. According to the Belgian newspaper *Nieuwsblad* on Tuesday morning, and acting on the advice of the Defense and Foreign Ministers, Burnham gave the green light for aerial refueling for "defense" purposes—a statement he made to reporters on Monday while en route to the UN General Assembly in New York. Burnham stated that this decision would contribute to regional stability.
The British mission is limited to supporting Saudi aircraft in defending the country against drone and missile attacks, rather than supporting aircraft conducting offensive strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis. The "Voyager" refueling tanker is expected to begin operations within a few days. Officials indicated that the mission is temporary and could last for "weeks."
Houthis report six civilians killed in Saudi raids on Yemen
Separately, the Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency reported that six civilians were killed in airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition on the coastal city of Mokha, Yemen, overnight Monday into Tuesday.
The agency stated that the fatalities included two children and a woman, while eight others—including a child and a woman—were wounded.
As noted by the Belgian newspaper, Saudi Arabia conducts daily airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The Iran-backed group had seized strategic positions along the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait earlier this month. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has been at war with the Houthis since 2014.
Yemeni President Seeks Military Support from Trump Against Houthis
Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi asked U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance in the war against the Houthis during a phone call, according to multiple sources. Alimi requested military support, but Trump did not grant the request, offering only condolences instead.
According to *The New York Times*, Saudi Arabia also requested assistance from the United States. The two countries were scheduled to launch joint attacks against the Houthis in Yemen on Sunday, but the U.S. President reversed his decision. This change reportedly occurred at the last minute, after targets had been identified and U.S. aircraft loaded with bombs.
The Iran-backed Houthis seized control of key areas along the Bab al-Mandab Strait this month. The Saudi-backed government has been fighting the Houthis since 2014. While the intensity of violence subsided in 2022 following a ceasefire, the Yemeni movement has been involved in the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran since February.
Macron Holds "Very Constructive" Talk with Trump on Ukraine and the Middle East
French President Emmanuel Macron held a "very constructive" conversation with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, regarding Ukraine in New York on Monday (local time). The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Red Sea on the sidelines of the annual UN gathering.
The French President stated: "We had a very productive conversation. It was very constructive and marked by great frankness; we were able to delve deeply into these two conflicts, which are undoubtedly of critical importance to global peace and our own security." The conversation lasted about half an hour.
The two presidents discussed, among other things, how to enhance the security of oil facilities in the Red Sea and the need to provide faster, more effective support to Ukrainian allies regarding defense systems, according to a statement by Macron. Agence France-Presse (AFP) learned from a diplomatic source that France is prepared to contribute to the security of Saudi energy infrastructure.