London, United Kingdom – Britain will provide air-to-air refueling for Saudi military aircraft following attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday.

One Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft is expected to begin supporting Saudi jets in the coming days. British officials said the mission would initially last several weeks.

“We have received a request from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for military support,” Burnham told reporters aboard his plane to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said he approved what he described as “defensive air-to-air refuelling” on the advice of his defense and foreign secretaries.

Burnham said the agreement was limited in duration but would remain under review. He linked the decision to attacks on Saudi Arabia and the need to keep regional routes open.

The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia as fighting in the region has widened. Britain and Saudi Arabia have longstanding military ties.