Asia Pacific
Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia has requested military assistance from Britain due to Houthi attacks and has expressed concern over ongoing attacks on its strategic facilities. According to the publication,
Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia has requested military assistance from Britain due to Houthi attacks and has expressed concern over ongoing attacks on its strategic facilities. According to the publication, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering helping Saudi Arabia counter attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, while British officials are concerned that an escalation of the conflict could further worsen its economic impact. According to journalists, Riyadh has formally requested operational assistance from London to counter the group’s advance along the Red Sea coast toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi officials are relying on British assistance to protect key oil infrastructure from airstrikes. However, the British government has not yet formally responded to the request.
The ongoing crisis has created a serious foreign policy and economic dilemma for Andy Burnham ahead of the new cabinet’s first budget. Following attacks on and the suspension of the East-West Pipeline, global Brent crude oil prices rose to around $110 per barrel. British officials reportedly warned the prime minister privately that losing control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait could have devastating consequences for global shipping and lead to a sharp increase in inflation.
On September 10, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported that Saudi aircraft carried out two airstrikes on the international airport in the city of Mocha, in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz Province. A total of 18 attacks were recorded in Taiz Province, targeting not only the airport but also the areas of Mauza, Makbana, and Mocha Junction. The New York Times reported on September 10 that the Houthis had taken control of the strategically important port city of Mocha on Yemen’s Red Sea coast as part of a major offensive in the country. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for the Houthis’ political wing, said that the movement seeks to restore Yemen’s sovereignty rather than acquire new territory.
