US says Saudi Arabia, UAE protecting civilians in Yemen war

WASHINGTON: Despite mounting civilian casualties in what the United Nations says is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the Trump administration has determined that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to protect civilians in their military campaign in Yemen.

The move allows the administration to continue to support the Saudi-led coalition in its operations agai­nst Iranian-backed rebels that have been denounced by human rights groups and some US lawmakers as possible war crimes.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Wednesday that he had certified to Congress the Saudis and Emiratis “are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure.” Ending the war is “a national security priority” for the administration, he said.

Congress had required the certification for the ad­­m­inistration to maintain deliveries of weapons and other support to the coalition.

“We will continue to work closely with the Saudi-led coalition to ensure Saudi Arabia and the UAE maintain support for UN-led efforts to end the civil war in Yemen, allow unimpeded access for the delivery of commercial and humanitarian support through as many avenues as possible, and undertake actions that mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he endorsed and “fully” backed Pompeo’s certification, adding that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were “making every effort” to reduce the risk of civilian casualties and collateral damage. Mattis said the US was working with a UN special envoy “to achieve a negotiated end to this fighting.”

Mattis said last month that the US intended to keep backing the coalition despite civilian casualties and questions about the Saudis’ commitment to avoiding killing innocent people. He said American influence on the Arab air campaign had made a difference in reducing instances of errant bombing and the targeting of civilians.

Human rights groups and aid organisations were quick to condemn the certification.

Oxfam said in a statement that the administration “is doubling down on its failed policy of literally fueling the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” “The Trump ad­­m­inistration is openly defying and lying to Con­gress,” it said. “Members of Congress must act to end the United States’ complicity in this war.”