Saudi coalition asks to end refueling deal with US for Yemen war

The Saudi-led coalition that is bombing Yemen has asked for the "cessation of inflight refuelling support" from the United States, a statement from the Saudi press agency said on Saturday.

The move follows a report in the Washington Post that the US was to end the deal, and comes amid ongoing international outcry over Saudi actions in Yemen, particularly after a string of high-profile coalition strikes that have killed scores of civilians, many of them children.

"Recently the Kingdom and the coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refuelling in Yemen," the SPA said.

"As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of inflight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen."