Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the United Kingdom will provide limited military assistance to Saudi Arabia to help counter attacks by the Houthi armed group in Yemen.

Under this initiative, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) will assist in providing mid-air refueling support to Saudi warplanes.

This assistance is set to commence within the next few days with the deployment of an RAF Voyager tanker aircraft.

Speaking to journalists aboard his flight to New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly session on Tuesday (September 22), Prime Minister Burnham confirmed that he has authorized the RAF to provide aerial refueling support for Saudi jets.

Burnham emphasized that this support will be provided on a temporary basis for a few weeks, though the situation will be kept under regular review.

British officials stated that an RAF Voyager tanker will be deployed shortly to conduct "defensive" air-to-air refueling operations for Saudi warplanes.

"I am taking action to protect Britain’s interests and the wider region," Burnham said. "Saudi Arabia is under attack, and further instability is a risk. We must keep critical maritime trade routes open for our oil supplies."

Conflict has intensified sharply in Yemen as Houthi forces continue launching ballistic missiles and drone strikes targeting Saudi territory.

A recent strike aimed at the capital city of Riyadh last Saturday was successfully intercepted by Saudi air defense systems.

The Houthis have declared a blockade on maritime movement through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, targeting Saudi commercial vessels and energy facilities along a vital trade corridor that handles roughly 12 percent of global commerce.

Earlier this month, Houthi fighters advanced further into coastal areas of Yemen, seizing the strategic port city of Mokha and several key islands in the Red Sea, thereby enhancing their maritime surveillance capabilities.

London has strongly condemned the Houthi attacks, stating that the UK will work alongside international partners to maintain regional stability, protect civilians, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

While the United States has previously launched direct strikes on Houthi targets, Washington has shown limited interest in direct military intervention amid this latest wave of escalation.

Britain's decision to step in follows formal requests from Saudi Arabia to international allies for air defense and logistical support to stave off ongoing missile and drone attacks.

Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has sought similar assistance from France, Egypt, and Pakistan alongside the UK.