Anti-arms trade group condemns UK support for Saudi regime as Yemen death toll approaches 377,000

Anti-arms trade campaigners had strong words for the British government over Yemen. Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) blasted UK arms sales and cuts to aid as the UN announced deaths would hit 377,000 by the end of 2021.

But the report also says that recovery is possible within a generation if the war is stopped now. As it stands, many of the deaths are a result of disease and hunger. While others are from air raids and combat. The war has raged since 2014 and, during this time, UK ally Saudi Arabia has constantly bombed its poorer neighbour.

Horrifying

In a press release, CAAT’s parliamentary officer Katie Fallon said:

This horrifying report is a reminder that while the war in Yemen may have fallen off the news agenda, its devastating impact on the people of Yemen is as bad as ever.

Fallon also directly criticised US President Joe Biden and the UK arms trade:

Promises by President Biden to end support for the Saudi coalition’s role in the war have not been fulfilled, despite a welcome halt to a few arms sales. Meanwhile, the UK government continues to supply arms to Saudi Arabia without restraint.

Blockade

Fallon called for a halt to sales of military equipment to the Saudi regime:

The UK, the US and other leading powers must immediately halt the arms sales that are prolonging and exacerbating the war, press hard for an end to the Saudi blockade that is one of the main contributors to the humanitarian catastrophe, and engage in sustained and meaningful diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end.

Finally, Fallon said the UK’s cuts to humanitarian aid had compounded Yemen’s problems:

The UK must also reverse its cruel cuts to humanitarian aid to Yemen, which have only
increased the war’s appalling toll.

UK-backed

As well as providing material support, the UK has had troops embedded with Saudi forces throughout the conflict. In July 2021 it emerged that up to 30 military personnel were training Saudi troops inside Yemen. In 2019 it was reported that 11 UK military personnel were embedded in Saudi headquarters. CAAT has estimated that the UK has licensed £20bn in arms sales to the Saudis since 2015.

Featured image – Wikimedia Commons/Fahd Sadi.