The decision to continue arming Saudi Arabia shows that the UK government is in denial about the devastating impact of arms sales

Andrew Smith

YemeniChild564
A child amongst the rubble in Sa’naa


It has been over 600 days since Saudi-led forces began their bombing campaign in Yemen. Since then over 10,000 people have been killed, schools and hospitals have been destroyed and the people of Yemen have been left on the verge of famine.

It is often referred to as a ‘forgotten war’, but the dire situation climbed the news agenda last month when Saudi forces bombed a funeral, killing almost 150 people.

The situation is desperate. The few short-term ceasefires that have been negotiated have offered limited respite, with serious violations being committed by all sides on an almost daily basis.  A new one is scheduled to take force on 17 November, but there is little reason to think it will fare any better.

The deaf ears of Whitehall

There is a growing international pressure on Saudi Arabia and the coalition forces to end the air strikes, which have been responsible for the majority of deaths in the ongoing civil war.

The devastation they have unleashed has been immoral, and there is a compelling and growing body of evidence that makes it clear that international humanitarian law has been violated.

For the rest of this article please see Middle East Eye

22 Nov 2016

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