Clashes in Yemen between Saudi-backed government forces and Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels have resulted in 154 casualties over the past two days.
Military sources from both sides told Afp that "the toll from Saudi attacks, clashes, and artillery fire in the governorates of Taiz, Al-Jawf, Marib, and Saada stands at 118 dead," while government sources reported 36 soldiers killed on their side.
Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East continue to raise concerns about energy prices and the global economy, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the UK has agreed to provide defensive air support to Saudi Arabia to help counter Houthi attacks and protect the Gulf kingdom's energy infrastructure. "We have received a request for military support from Saudi Arabia, and I have agreed to the request for air-to-air defensive refueling," Burnham told reporters en route to New York.
According to the Guardian, London has responded to Riyadh's request to assist with in-flight refueling of Saudi jets involved in defense operations. Specifically, Burnham confirmed that a Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft will be deployed for several weeks, though the mission may be extended. This operation complements the existing Sky Sabre air defense system already in place in Saudi Arabia.
Simultaneously, G7 foreign ministers condemned "the unacceptable continuation of attacks" launched from Yemen against Saudi Arabia and urged the Iran-backed rebel group to immediately cease hostilities: "We call on the Houthis to immediately stop all military actions, threats, and attacks against civilian merchant ships and to return to the political process in good faith," stated the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States in a joint statement.
Highlighting that Tehran is violating previous United Nations Security Council resolutions, the G7 foreign ministers also called on Iran to "end the arming and support of the Houthis."
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati