Cyprus is expected to serve as a launchpad for the British Royal Air Force as the UK prepares to provide assistance to Saudi Arabia in its ongoing conflict with Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to reports published on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia reportedly sought British support after the Houthis strengthened their control over parts of Yemen’s western coastline and carried out renewed attacks targeting Saudi oil infrastructure.

The British government confirmed on Tuesday morning that it would “provide additional defensive military support” to Saudi Arabia in response to “renewed Houthi attacks and escalating violence in the region.”

According to the government, the assistance will include the deployment of an RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft. The aircraft will be used to “support Saudi defensive activity in support of the legitimate government of Yemen.”

The government also warned that “escalating tensions in the Gulf can have a serious impact at home in the UK”, highlighting the potential consequences for consumers and businesses. These could include rising prices for consumer goods, “disruption to energy supplies”, and additional costs for British companies.

It further described the Houthi movement as “a dangerous threat to regional stability in the Middle East”, arguing that preventing the group from succeeding is “in the UK’s national economic and security interest.”

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that the assistance being provided to Saudi Arabia would operate “from a UK base in Cyprus.” This would mean that RAF Akrotiri, the British airbase located near Limassol, could serve as the operational launchpad for the planned support. The development comes after Akrotiri itself was targeted by an Iranian-made drone on March 2. Following the incident, President Nikos Christodoulides indicated that the future of the British bases would be raised directly with the UK government.

Speaking ahead of a European Council summit later that month, Christodoulides said that “we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government” over the issue, in comments that strongly suggested he wanted the future of the British bases in Cyprus to be reconsidered, including the possibility of their eventual abolition.

Source: Pinewsuk.com