Exclusive: UK Helping Saudi's Yemen Campaign
Page 1 of 1
Exclusive: UK Helping Saudi's Yemen Campaign
British military experts are advising Saudi forces but the MoD insists they are only ensuring that rules of war are complied with.
British military experts have joined Saudi Arabia's military campaign against rebels in Yemen, provoking renewed calls from human rights groups for a total review of British policy towards the fundamentalist kingdom.
At least 10,000 Yemenis have died in the civil war that is being fought as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Now it appears that Britain, already a massive source of weapons and bombs to the Saudi Kingdom, is helping in more direct ways.
Sky sources have confirmed that six experts are working with Saudi targeteers who select locations for attack.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London insists they are not part of any direct operations but are training the Saudis to comply with the international rules of war.
The site of a strike in the capital of Yemen, Sanaa
But Human Rights Watch has produced detailed investigations that it says reveal some 30 examples of Saudi coalition breach of international rules of war.
The report, published in December, calls for investigations into the incidents which may constitute war crimes, according to David Mepham, director of Human Rights Watch UK.
Video: Britain And Saudi Links Explainer
He said: "At a time when the Saudis and other members of the Gulf coalition are committing multiple violations of the laws of war in Yemen - we've documented that.
"Human Rights Watch has put out numerous reports about what the Saudis are up to in Yemen - that the British are working hand in glove with the Saudis, helping them, enhancing their capacity to prosecute this war that has led to the death of so many civilians. I think it's deeply regrettable and unacceptable."
Tory MP and former secretary of state for international development Andrew Mitchell has been critical of the Government’s policy of supplying aid to the victims of the Yemeni war and arms to Saudi Arabia while it’s fighting there.
He said he felt British training to avoid civilian casualties would be positive - but added a caution.
"There is no hiding the fact that this is an uncomfortable position for the British Government because one limb of it is desperately trying to save lives, ensure that fuel gets in, ensure that food and medicines get in, and the other arm of government is engaged in prosecuting a ferocious war which is inevitably doing great damage to innocent civilians," said Mr Mitchell.
Video: The Yemen Conflict Explained
Britain has agreed contracts worth some £5.6bn in arms exports over the last five years according to arms sales monitoring agencies. It also has a long standing commitment to training Saudi forces.
But with the additional personnel attached to the Yemen campaign it risks being dragged into a regional sectarian war which is pitting Iranian and Saudi proxies against each other in Syria and the Yemen.
Diane Abbott, Shadow International Development Secretary, told Sky News: "It is one thing to negotiate with people, it is another thing to be complacent in human rights offences.
"How sure are you that that is going on, because what Sam Kiley has revealed in his report is that there are six British military helping the Saudis with their targeting, but specifically helping them to make sure they comply with international agreements.
"We need to know more about the export licences, Saudi is a huge purchaser of British arms."
Video: April: Airstrike Hits Weapons Depot
Ministers refused to comment on the Sky News revelations.
A MoD statement said: "UK military personnel are not directly involved in Coalition operations, but are supporting Saudi forces through pre-existing arrangements and additional liaison officers in Saudi headquarters.
"We operate one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world with each licence application assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of all relevant information, to ensure compliance with our legal obligations.
"No licence is issued if it does not meet these requirements."
http://news.sky.com/story/1618646/exclusive-uk-helping-saudis-yemen-campaign
If this is true it makes me sick to my stomach.
British military experts have joined Saudi Arabia's military campaign against rebels in Yemen, provoking renewed calls from human rights groups for a total review of British policy towards the fundamentalist kingdom.
At least 10,000 Yemenis have died in the civil war that is being fought as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Now it appears that Britain, already a massive source of weapons and bombs to the Saudi Kingdom, is helping in more direct ways.
Sky sources have confirmed that six experts are working with Saudi targeteers who select locations for attack.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London insists they are not part of any direct operations but are training the Saudis to comply with the international rules of war.
The site of a strike in the capital of Yemen, Sanaa
But Human Rights Watch has produced detailed investigations that it says reveal some 30 examples of Saudi coalition breach of international rules of war.
The report, published in December, calls for investigations into the incidents which may constitute war crimes, according to David Mepham, director of Human Rights Watch UK.
Video: Britain And Saudi Links Explainer
He said: "At a time when the Saudis and other members of the Gulf coalition are committing multiple violations of the laws of war in Yemen - we've documented that.
"Human Rights Watch has put out numerous reports about what the Saudis are up to in Yemen - that the British are working hand in glove with the Saudis, helping them, enhancing their capacity to prosecute this war that has led to the death of so many civilians. I think it's deeply regrettable and unacceptable."
Tory MP and former secretary of state for international development Andrew Mitchell has been critical of the Government’s policy of supplying aid to the victims of the Yemeni war and arms to Saudi Arabia while it’s fighting there.
He said he felt British training to avoid civilian casualties would be positive - but added a caution.
"There is no hiding the fact that this is an uncomfortable position for the British Government because one limb of it is desperately trying to save lives, ensure that fuel gets in, ensure that food and medicines get in, and the other arm of government is engaged in prosecuting a ferocious war which is inevitably doing great damage to innocent civilians," said Mr Mitchell.
Video: The Yemen Conflict Explained
Britain has agreed contracts worth some £5.6bn in arms exports over the last five years according to arms sales monitoring agencies. It also has a long standing commitment to training Saudi forces.
But with the additional personnel attached to the Yemen campaign it risks being dragged into a regional sectarian war which is pitting Iranian and Saudi proxies against each other in Syria and the Yemen.
Diane Abbott, Shadow International Development Secretary, told Sky News: "It is one thing to negotiate with people, it is another thing to be complacent in human rights offences.
"How sure are you that that is going on, because what Sam Kiley has revealed in his report is that there are six British military helping the Saudis with their targeting, but specifically helping them to make sure they comply with international agreements.
"We need to know more about the export licences, Saudi is a huge purchaser of British arms."
Video: April: Airstrike Hits Weapons Depot
Ministers refused to comment on the Sky News revelations.
A MoD statement said: "UK military personnel are not directly involved in Coalition operations, but are supporting Saudi forces through pre-existing arrangements and additional liaison officers in Saudi headquarters.
"We operate one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world with each licence application assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of all relevant information, to ensure compliance with our legal obligations.
"No licence is issued if it does not meet these requirements."
http://news.sky.com/story/1618646/exclusive-uk-helping-saudis-yemen-campaign
If this is true it makes me sick to my stomach.
Guest- Guest
Re: Exclusive: UK Helping Saudi's Yemen Campaign
So they are advisng that the rules of war are complied with.
How is that sick?
Are you saying they should not advise this?
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London insists they are not part of any direct operations but are training the Saudis to comply with the international rules of war.
How is that sick?
Are you saying they should not advise this?
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London insists they are not part of any direct operations but are training the Saudis to comply with the international rules of war.
Guest- Guest
Re: Exclusive: UK Helping Saudi's Yemen Campaign
Do stop showing that you never read anything. It is sick enough that we are selling them arms for this, but:
Now it appears that Britain, already a massive source of weapons and bombs to the Saudi Kingdom, is helping in more direct ways.
Sky sources have confirmed that six experts are working with Saudi targeteers who select locations for attack.
Now it appears that Britain, already a massive source of weapons and bombs to the Saudi Kingdom, is helping in more direct ways.
Sky sources have confirmed that six experts are working with Saudi targeteers who select locations for attack.
Guest- Guest
Re: Exclusive: UK Helping Saudi's Yemen Campaign
Again tell me why and how it is sick toi advise on the rules of engagement?
If the saudi;s do not take this advise what are the advisors to do?
If the saudi;s do not take this advise what are the advisors to do?
Guest- Guest
Similar topics
» New Report of U.S.-Made Cluster Bomb Use by Saudis in Yemen
» Jon Snow destroys David Cameron re Ali Mohammed al-Nimr Crucifixion and the Saudis
» Trump campaign to Arabic diplomats: 'Ignore the campaign rhetoric'
» Saudis Paying U.S. Veterans to Counter 9/11 Lawsuits
» War with Isis: If Saudis aren't fuelling the militant inferno, who is?
» Jon Snow destroys David Cameron re Ali Mohammed al-Nimr Crucifixion and the Saudis
» Trump campaign to Arabic diplomats: 'Ignore the campaign rhetoric'
» Saudis Paying U.S. Veterans to Counter 9/11 Lawsuits
» War with Isis: If Saudis aren't fuelling the militant inferno, who is?
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:28 pm by Ben Reilly
» TOTAL MADNESS Great British Railway Journeys among shows flagged by counter terror scheme ‘for encouraging far-right sympathies
Wed Feb 22, 2023 5:14 pm by Tommy Monk
» Interesting COVID figures
Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:00 am by Tommy Monk
» HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
Sun Jan 01, 2023 7:33 pm by Tommy Monk
» The Fight Over Climate Change is Over (The Greenies Won!)
Thu Dec 15, 2022 3:59 pm by Tommy Monk
» Trump supporter murders wife, kills family dog, shoots daughter
Mon Dec 12, 2022 1:21 am by 'Wolfie
» Quill
Thu Oct 20, 2022 10:28 pm by Tommy Monk
» Algerian Woman under investigation for torture and murder of French girl, 12, whose body was found in plastic case in Paris
Thu Oct 20, 2022 10:04 pm by Tommy Monk
» Wind turbines cool down the Earth (edited with better video link)
Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:19 am by Ben Reilly
» Saying goodbye to our Queen.
Sun Sep 25, 2022 9:02 pm by Maddog
» PHEW.
Sat Sep 17, 2022 6:33 pm by Syl
» And here's some more enrichment...
Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:46 pm by Ben Reilly
» John F Kennedy Assassination
Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:40 pm by Ben Reilly
» Where is everyone lately...?
Thu Sep 15, 2022 3:33 pm by Ben Reilly
» London violence over the weekend...
Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:19 pm by Tommy Monk
» Why should anyone believe anything that Mo Farah says...!?
Wed Jul 13, 2022 1:44 am by Tommy Monk
» Liverpool Labour defends mayor role poll after turnout was only 3% and they say they will push ahead with the option that was least preferred!!!
Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:11 pm by Tommy Monk
» Labour leader Keir Stammer can't answer the simple question of whether a woman has a penis or not...
Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:58 am by Tommy Monk
» More evidence of remoaners still trying to overturn Brexit... and this is a conservative MP who should be drummed out of the party and out of parliament!
Sun Jul 10, 2022 10:50 pm by Tommy Monk
» R Kelly 30 years, Ghislaine Maxwell 20 years... but here in UK...
Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:31 pm by Original Quill