Are the UK, France being pulled into the Saudi-Houthi conflict?

France and the United Kingdom have both moved to deploy military assets to Saudi Arabia, deepening their defence ties with the kingdom as its conflict with the Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah (Arabic for Supporters of God), in Yemen escalates.Paris last week said it had begun sending assets to Saudi Arabia as part of a previously announced agreement, after President Emmanuel Macron committed to deploying troops and air defence systems to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, which has come under attack from the Iran-backed Houthis.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Egyptian parliament delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabialist 2 of 2UK to deploy Typhoon jets to help defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacksend of listThe UK, for its part, on Tuesday announced plans to deploy fighter jets to help shield Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks.Both countries stressed that their support would be defensive.Analysts say the European moves serve several geopolitical purposes: protecting Saudi oil exports that are important to European energy markets, shoring up their strategic alliance in the Gulf amid US reluctance to offer direct military assistance...