To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Congress: Block Arms Transfer to Saudi Arabia to Force Debate on Yemen War
Just Foreign Policy
Force a public debate on U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen by advocating for blocking the planned transfer of U.S. tanks and armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia.
Why is this important?
The Defense Department notified Congress August 8 of a proposed sale of 153 tanks and 20 armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia. [1] Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a U.S.-backed coalition fighting to restore Yemen’s ousted president Hadi to power and to destroy military forces loyal to the Houthi movement and former president Saleh. The UN estimates that more than 3,500 civilians have been killed since March 2015, and almost twice as many wounded; the coalition has been responsible for roughly 75% of all civilian casualties. [2] Saudi Arabia has enforced a blockade, cutting off supplies of food, fuel, and medicine. A year and a half into the war, the health system has largely broken down, and much of the country is on the brink of starvation. [3]
This proposed arms transfer would signal to actors in Yemen that the U.S. seeks to escalate the war rather than seek a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Congress has a 30-day period during which it can block or modify the sale.
Urge Members of Congress to advocate for blocking the sale by signing our petition.
References:
1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/08/11/the-u-s-will-rearm-saudi-arabia-to-the-tune-of-1-5b-as-airstrikes-resume-in-yemen/
2. http://www.voanews.com/a/yemen-civilian-casualties/3370540.html
3. http://harpers.org/archive/2016/09/acceptable-losses/
This proposed arms transfer would signal to actors in Yemen that the U.S. seeks to escalate the war rather than seek a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Congress has a 30-day period during which it can block or modify the sale.
Urge Members of Congress to advocate for blocking the sale by signing our petition.
References:
1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/08/11/the-u-s-will-rearm-saudi-arabia-to-the-tune-of-1-5b-as-airstrikes-resume-in-yemen/
2. http://www.voanews.com/a/yemen-civilian-casualties/3370540.html
3. http://harpers.org/archive/2016/09/acceptable-losses/