To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
This video can not be played
Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important?CloseThousands of refugees have fled Yemen in recent days after Iran-backed Houthis seized territory along the country's Red Sea coastline, including near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014, when the Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa.
The conflict escalated in 2015, after a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in an attempt to restore the government's rule.
Now, following a Saudi request, the UK has said it will deploy a military aircraft to help refuel Saudi Arabian fighter jets taking part in "purely defensive" missions.
The BBC's Frank Gardner has this analysis.
Read more on the crisis in Yemen.
- SubsectionMiddle East
- Published2 hours ago
Related topics
- YemenFollow Yemenclose panelYou are now following YemenUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
- Saudi ArabiaFollow Saudi Arabiaclose panelYou are now following Saudi ArabiaUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
- OilFollow Oilclose panelYou are now following OilUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
- Yemen crisisFollow Yemen crisisclose panelYou are now following Yemen crisisUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
- Middle EastFollow Middle Eastclose panelYou are now following Middle EastUpdates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage.
