Foreign Media: UK and France Plan to Provide "Defensive" Support to Saudi Arabia

[Global Times Special Correspondent Wu Ming] Following reports that Saudi Arabia has requested air defense support from multiple countries to respond to attacks from the Yemeni Houthi forces, the UK has decided to provide "defensive" air refueling support to Saudi Arabia. France is also reportedly preparing to take defensive measures to protect Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure.

According to a report by the BBC on the 22nd, the UK will provide "defensive air refueling" support to Saudi Arabia in response to recent attacks by the Yemeni Houthi forces. UK Prime Minister Burnham stated while en route to New York for the United Nations General Assembly that this action was taken in response to Saudi Arabia's request for "military support." He agreed to this request after consulting with Defense Secretary Stritting and Foreign Secretary Miliband. He reiterated that the pressure of living costs was the reason for his decision. "Because Saudi Arabia has been under attack and may face further disruptions, we need to keep these (oil shipping) routes open, so we agreed to this request," Burnham said.

Reports indicate that this operation may begin in the coming days, with the UK deploying a "Voyager" tanker from its air force base in Cyprus. UK government officials stated that this arrangement is time-limited, initially expected to last for several weeks. According to UK government officials, "defensive" support may include assisting the Saudi Air Force in intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones. The BBC believes that in terms of "military support," the provision of an air refueling tanker by the UK is considered a relatively light form of support.

According to Bloomberg, this is Burnham's first major military decision since taking office as Prime Minister in July. Sources revealed that the UK will also lobby other countries to help Saudi Arabia repel the Houthi forces. The G7 foreign ministers condemned the "unacceptable ongoing attacks" by the Yemeni Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia on the 21st and urged the latter to "immediately cease all military actions, all threats and attacks against civilian vessels, and sincerely return to the political process."

On the 22nd, AFP quoted a diplomatic source as saying, "France is prepared to protect Saudi energy infrastructure within a strictly defensive framework, contributing to the security of Saudi energy infrastructure located along the Yanbu and East-West pipelines." The source emphasized that this does not mean participating in the conflict against the Houthi forces.

Previously, due to repeated attacks on the Riyadh section and Medina section of the East-West pipeline, Saudi Arabia had taken preventive closure measures for the pipeline. However, according to Bloomberg on the 22nd, sources revealed that Saudi Aramco executives have informally informed at least three Asian refiners that they will soon be able to load crude oil at the port of Yanbu.     

According to AFP, the Yemeni Houthi forces accused Saudi Arabia on the 22nd of launching a wave of deadly airstrikes that resulted in civilian and prison inmate casualties. As the conflict between the Yemeni Houthis and Saudi Arabia continues, more than 130,000 people have fled their homes in Yemen this month. UNHCR spokesperson Baroque on the 22nd estimated that in the next three months, another 100,000 people may be forced to flee their homes, with these displaced individuals likely seeking refuge in Djibouti, Somalia, and other countries. The UNHCR has declared a Level 1 emergency for Yemen, Djibouti, and Somalia.