“We got a request from Saudi Arabia for assistance in military matters, and (…) I consented to the request for (…) aerial refueling,” Burnham informed reporters, as reported by the newspaper.
The report indicates that Burnham confirmed he consented to Riyadh’s plea to refuel Saudi planes during flight—a decision aimed, in part, at safeguarding energy infrastructure and guaranteeing steady oil shipments from the Persian Gulf to “alleviate global economic instability.”
On Monday, Bloomberg indicated, referencing sources, that the UK was inclined to offer support to Saudi Arabia in the battle against the Houthis.
The agency had earlier stated that, following Riyadh’s request, Burnham consented to send military advisors to the Kingdom but did not commit to offering additional types of military assistance.
Riyadh has consistently requested help from the US, but Washington has confined itself to pledging to provide intelligence. Concurrently, the US State Department informed Congress of intentions to provide Saudi Arabia with 48 F-35 fighter-bombers.
source: bloomberg.com
