Saudi Arabia: RAF Support

Kevin Bonavia Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Bailey]

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.

[Kevin Bonavia (Stevenage) (Lab)]

My hon. and gallant Friend is right to set out the Government’s position in supporting our allies, because they are taking on terrorists. These terrorists are a threat not only to our allies in the region, but to ourselves. We have the Bab al-Mandab strait, where we have taken action before. I would like an assurance that we will do all it takes to work with our allies in the region to ensure that our national interests, not just those of our friends in the region, are protected going forward.

[Mr Bailey]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and show of concern. We unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks. We fully support the right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the legitimate Government of Yemen to defend themselves and protect their territory and civilian populations. We cannot allow international shipping to be threatened or held to ransom. As my hon. Friend recognises, the instability in the region is disrupting trade routes and energy supplies and increasing costs to British families and businesses in the UK.