WASHINGTON – Green Party leaders called on President Biden to take advantage of the April 2nd cease-fire among warring parties in Yemen, to follow through on his promise to end support for all offensive operations, to end weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and to help end the blockade of Saudi warships off the coast of Yemen to allow humanitarian aid to enter the country. The war between the Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history.
Green Party of the United States
www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
April 25, 2022
Contact:
Michael O'Neil, Communications Manager, meo@gp.org, 202-804-2758
Diana C. Brown, Co-Chair, Media Committee, media@gp.org, 202-804-2758
Philena Farley, Co-Chair, Media Committee, media@gp.org, 202-804-2758
The U.S. has provided logistical and intelligence support and sold weapons to the coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia since 2015. As a result of the conflict and blockade, hundreds of thousands of people have died, including from indirect causes such as lack of food, health services and infrastructure. More than 17 million Yemenis are currently food insecure, over 2 million children are now acutely malnourished, and the number of people experiencing famine is expected to increase five-fold by the end of the year.
In February 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an end to U.S. support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen, a break from previous U.S. policy. Nevertheless, the United States has continued to sell weapons to countries in the region and has refrained from pushing Saudi Arabia to end its blockade on the coast of Yemen.
"President Biden must seize the opportunity offered by the cease-fire and make good on his promise," said Ahmed Eltouny, Green Party National Co-Chair. The war in Ukraine has resulted in heightened awareness of military activity throughout the world, renewing concern about the United States' role in facilitating the war in Yemen. Ending arms sales to the Saudis would be a major step in putting an end to the ability of warring parties to continue the war. Now is the time to stop the arms sales, stop the blockade, and support the warring parties' efforts to seek a diplomatic and fair resolution to end the war.
MORE INFORMATION
War in Yemen.
Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker, April 19, 2022
Yemen facing 'outright catastrophe' over rising hunger, warn UN humanitarians
United Nations, UN NEws, March 14, 2022
Yemen's Warring Parties Begin First Cease-Fire in 6 Years
Hubbard, Ben. New York Times, April 2, 2022
US Assistance to Saudi-Led Coalition Risks Complicity in War Crimes
Nasser, Afrah. Human Rights Watch, April 7, 2022
Greens demand Congress cut off military aid to Saudis, withdraw support for Yemen war
April 24, 2019
Platform, I. Democracy, D. Foreign Policy - Peace and Disarmament, a.
(repeal of AUMF)
US ending aid to Saudi-led forces in Yemen, but questions persist
Stepansky, Joseph. Al Jazeera, February 7, 2021
