Corporate Media Fail to Cover War in Yemen Due to US Support for Saudi Arabia

Although the war in Ukraine gets the most attention, American news outlets tend to overlook the fact that the U.S. has supported a war between the Houthis of Yemen and a Saudi-led alliance that includes the United Arab Emirates. As a result, most of the U.S. public is unaware of the war’s catastrophic impact on the Yemeni population: according to the United Nations, around 400,000 peopleThey have all died 16.2 millionYou are on the brink of starvation

This devastation is caused by a Saudi-led bombing campaign targeting infrastructure, food sources, and health services. Also, coercive measures such as a blockade directed at, are some of the causes. destroying Yemen’s economy. The UN has declared the Yemeni situation the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Recent transborder attacks in Saudi Arabia and the UAE by the Houthis, who retaliated against Saudi-led coalition, have been launched by the Houthis. The U.S. has been able to deflect most of these attacks. The relatively small number of U.S. forces in the region are regularly overwhelmed by the Saudi/UAE missile attacks, airstrikes, and strangling blockades. ineffective weapons The military power of the Houthis. Yet, the U.S media give a disproportionate amount media coverage and sympathy for Saudi/UAE aggression.

What’s important to realize — and what the news media fail to discuss — is that the U.S. is complicit in causing this crisis. The U.S. has been the main supplier of weapons for Saudi Arabia. According to the Brookings InstituteAccording to the United States, 73% of Saudi arms imports are from the U.S. In fact, 24 percent of U.S. weapons exports go to Saudi Arabia.

Former President Donald Trump eager to bragAbout the high level of U.S. arms exports to the Saudis. Although President Joe Biden stated that he would only sell defensive weapons to Saudi Arabians, the U.S. continues providing missiles, parts and maintenance support to the Saudis. The Saudi war effort would be severely hampered without U.S. support.

In view of the devastation to Yemen, it’s no surprise that several efforts were made by Congress to end U.S. support for the war. In response to the brutal assassination in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi (a journalist and U.S. resident), Congress passed the War Powers Resolution. However, President Trump was there at the time. vetoed the resolution. The House of Representatives also passed several versions of National Defense Authorization Acts that contained language calling for an immediate halt to U.S. support of the war. These provisions were dropped in final negotiations.

Recent statements by lawmakers in Congress, including Representatives Pramila Japal (D–Washington) & Peter DeFazio, (D–Oregon), suggested that they will introduce a Yemen War Powers Resolutionto end all U.S. assistance for the war. We call on our federal lawmakers — especially our own Rep. Adam Smith (D-Washington), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee — to cosponsor the resolution.

Some policy makers still want the U.S. support for the Saudi war against Yemen. Their motivations include a desire for continued oil supplies, as well as strategic issues related to China — Saudi Arabia has supposedly considered accepting yuan as payment for oil — and Iran. Another factor is how much money you make from selling arms.

But others Please refer to the high costsThe U.S.-Saudi relationship includes security concerns. In April of this yea, 30 members of Congress wrote a letter to Secretary of State Antony BlinkenInsisting on a rebalancing the U.S. – Saudi partnership. The letter mentions the brutal war on Yemen, Saudi oppression at home, and Saudi Arabia’s flirtations with China.

Additionally, the Saudis have refused to increase oil production to help the international coalition against Russia over its invasion in Ukraine. Others have written about how the Saudi-U.S. relationship has been detrimental to U.S. interest, including dispelling the myth of U.S. dependencySaudi oil and threats to our national security.

It is disappointing to note that the U.S. met with Khaled bin Salman, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister, on May 17th. Colin Kahl was the Under Secretary of Defense Policy, and the U.S. confirmed its commitment to the U.S.-Saudi military collaboration.

Recent reports also indicate that President Biden may be resigning. planning to meet withSaudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman will meet with the public early next month. Many antiwar activists find this meeting distressing because President Biden had previously promised bin Salman to be a. “pariah”for his role in Khashoggi’s murder and in the war on Yemen.

A truce was signed between warring parties on April 2, the first in six year. The truce agreed to included an end of attacks. provisions for better movement Yemeni people and goods. The truce will expire in 2022 on June 2, and it is unclear whether it will be renewed. It is vital that we do not allow the truce to expire or allow fighting to resume.

The truce was made possible because of the threat by the U.S. to end its support for Saudi-led coalition, notably the War Powers Resolution. The truce is not yet in effect. fragileAnd although not allThe conditions were met and it is a step towards ending the war in Yemen and bringing peace to the country. The UN is considering an extension to the truce. Houthi are considering.

The Saudis wouldn’t be able to continue the war without U.S. assistance. It is therefore crucial that Congress supports the War Powers Resolution. This will send a message to both the Biden administration, and to Saudi Arabia, that it will no more support their war. It is time for Congress, under its constitutional rights, to end U.S. assistance to the Saudi-led War in Yemen.