Donald Trump has just arrived in Saudi Arabia. Stand with us to end US support for the Saudi war in Yemen!
“There have already been thousands and thousands of civilians killed…If you talk to Yemenis, they will tell you that this is perceived inside Yemen as not a Saudi-led bombing campaign, which it’s broadly advertised in the newspapers, but as a US bombing campaign or at best a US-Saudi bombing campaign. There is a US imprint on every civilian death inside Yemen, which is radicalizing the people this country against the United States.” -Sen. Chris Murphy
Yemen is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, and the US-backed Saudi-UAE led coalition is responsible. Since their bombing campaign in Yemen began two years ago, more than 10,000 people have been killed, and millions have been forced from their homes. As a weapon of war, the Saudi Coalition is inflicting starvation on the population by blockading the country’s ports. Fourteen million out of 26 million Yemenis are food insecure and Yemen is standing at the brink of famine.
Right now, all eyes are on the Port of Hodeida, which is a main entry point for a vast majority (70%) of Yemen’s food, medicine, and aid which 80% of the population depends on. Coalition forces have already imposed a blockade on the port and destroyed many of the vital roadways and bridges in Hodeida province. Now, many fear a military attack on the port, which would threaten the lives of over a million children already suffering from malnutrition. In response to the threat, the United Nations and aid organizations are busy preparing humanitarian contingency plans.
“Administration officials have proposed the US. participate directly in an attack on Yemen’s major port…such an attack could push the country into full-blown famine, where nearly half a million children in Yemen are facing starvation”. –Rep. Mark Pocan
The attack can be prevented. As Reuters stated, “the coalition of Gulf Arab countries might still be waiting for a go-ahead from its Western allies [to] launch the Hodeida offensive.” The US must act now and use its influence to stop provoking militarism and start using diplomacy in Yemen.
While Donald Trump goes to Saudi Arabia to sell weapons to the murderous Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, tell Congress that US should be working for a ceasefire and peace negotiations instead.
Peace activists are pressing forward through protest, lobbying, vigils, and even fasting to end to the war in Yemen. Our movement must continue to lead with actions to prevent an imminent attack on Hodeida, to stop arming and aiding the Saudi led coalition, and to support the work of humanitarian aid organizations on the ground in Yemen.
