UK considers military support for Saudis against Houthis, report says

What Happened

Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia asked Andy Burnham's UK government for diplomatic and military support to help the Saudi military repel an Iran-aligned Houthi push south along Yemen's Red Sea coast toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and to defend against Houthi strikes. Ansar Allah took over stretches of Yemen's coast near the strait over the weekend and then attacked the East-West Pipeline, which carries nearly 4 percent of global oil supply; Reuters reported Saudi Arabia may need five to six weeks to repair damage from a drone attack on the pipeline. Oil prices soared after the Houthi offensive put the group in control of Yemen's side of the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. On Saturday, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and said the UK stands firmly with Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognised government of Yemen. Burnham has reportedly been advised that Houthi control of the strait would seriously impact international shipping and could send UK energy prices soaring, and he is understood to have agreed to send British military advisors to Saudi Arabia. The UK and US have not commented on further assistance. Separately, Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen's southwestern Taiz province killed three people, including two children, on Tuesday morning, according to the Houthi-aligned al-Masirah TV station; two others were wounded. The Saudi-led coalition said 13 civilians were injured in Houthi attacks targeting the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif on Monday. Pakistan and Turkey, which recently signed a joint defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, have not come to the country's aid; a Turkish official said the agreement is not yet operational.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical Red Sea chokepoint for Saudi oil shipments, and the East-West Pipeline carries nearly 4 percent of global oil supply. Houthi control of Yemen's Red Sea coast threatens international shipping and could drive energy prices higher in Britain, prompting potential UK military involvement beyond advisors. The episode also entrenches Western alignment with Saudi Arabia against Iran-aligned forces amid what the article describes as the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Watch For

Monitor whether the UK government confirms or denies sending military advisors to Saudi Arabia and whether it commits further military support; whether the US responds to Saudi Arabia's reported request; progress of East-West Pipeline repairs over the next five to six weeks; any further Houthi strikes on Saudi cities or Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Taiz and elsewhere; and whether the Turkey-Saudi or Pakistan-Saudi defence agreements become operational.