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Update: UK Reportedly Weighs Providing Military Support to Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Attack

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(Updates headline and text to reflect Burnham's reported response on Saudi refueling based on multiple reports, removes Market Chatter moniker.)

The UK will offer military support for a limited time to Saudi Arabia, with the Royal Air Force providing air-to-air refueling of Saudi planes, according to multiple media reports on Monday.

In a press briefing while traveling to New York for the UN General Assembly on Monday, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the UK had received a request from Saudi Arabia for military support.

He added that acting on the advice from the defence secretary and foreign secretary, he had agreed to the request for "defensive air-to-air refueling."

He added that as Saudi Arabia was experiencing strikes, pathways had to be kept open, and so he agreed to the request.

He noted that the agreement was a time-limited agreement in terms of UK assistance and that they would keep it under review.

Bloomberg first reported that the UK was close to an agreement with Saudi Arabia to provide military support to help counter frequent attacks from Iran-backed Houthi militants, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The UK government also plans to lobby allies to provide similar aid. Sources reportedly said Burnham's administration believes assisting Saudi Arabia will help stabilize the region and protect commercial shipping in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait.

The Prime Minister's office and the UK Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to' requests for comment.

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