Sir John supports the deployment of British forces in support of Saudi Arabian allies but questions the distinction between offensive and defensive military support. In Parliament, he asks the Government what assessment it has made of potential increased threats to British civilian and military personnel in the region, and what measures are being taken to address them.
Watch his full question and the Government’s answer below:
Debate Highlights
Thomas Tugendhat Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Developmental Affairs:
Will the Secretary of State make a statement on the deployment of RAF Typhoon aircraft to defend Saudi Arabia, and the extension of air-to-air refuelling support for the Saudi air operations, including those against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Calvin Bailey Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Minister of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People):
I am grateful for the opportunity to update the House on the UK Government’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it responds to increased Houthi aggression in Saudia Arabia and Yemen. The whole House will have seen images of the attacks on civilian airports in Riyadh and the hundreds of casualties that those Houthi attacks have caused. The Government fully support the right of Saudi Arabia and the legitimate Government of the Republic of Yemen to defend themselves. However, we know that there is no long-term military solution to this conflict. The support we have announced is designed to help our partners at this critical moment while supporting efforts to create the conditions for political resolution to the conflict.
Although many of our constituents may feel that this is happening far away, we must be clear about the direct consequences for the United Kingdom. The Red sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait are among the world’s most important maritime trade routes, and continued instability increases costs for British families and businesses while also undermining security across the middle east. Helping that part of the world to be more secure and stable is firmly in the United Kingdom’s national security and economic interests.
As the House will know, we have already been providing Saudi Arabia with air defence support and air-to-air refuelling from defensive Saudi Arabia air operations, and the Prime Minister has now authorised additional military support. We are extending the provision of air-to-air refuelling to 90 days, and RAF Typhoon aircraft will conduct defensive counter-air operations from Saudi Arabia; these aircraft will operate in a defensive role, and will not conduct offensive strikes. We will also make an RAF A400M aircraft available to support the movement of matériel within Saudi Arabia in support of defence.
We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the suffering experienced by civilians. Alongside military support, we continue our diplomatic efforts, humanitarian assistance and work to encourage political negotiations.
Finally, all partners receiving UK assistance must comply fully with their obligations under international law. We will continue to monitor and assess this compliance as part of our ongoing engagement.
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John Whittingdale Conservative, Maldon:
I support the deployment of British forces in support of our Saudi Arabian allies, but, as has become clear, the distinction between “offensive” and “defensive” support is pretty fuzzy at best. Can the Minister say what assessment has been made of the possible increased threat to British nationals in the region, both civilian and military, and what is being done to meet that threat?
Calvin Bailey Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Minister of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People):
Advice to those British nationals in the region is issued by the FCDO, and I urge all those deployed within the region to pay attention to consular announcements. The terms “offensive” and “defensive” are very well-known doctrines of military operation, so when I use the language “defensive counter air”, that is entirely what is meant by it. Unless anyone wants to rewrite doctrine, which I would take great pleasure in contributing to, that remains what we have deployed and how we intend to deliver our military capabilities.