Alarmed by the threat of the world’s largest famine, MEPs call for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen and an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia.

They recall previous resolution on the humanitarian situation in Yemen of 25 February 2016, which calls on EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to launch an initiative to impose an EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, given the serious allegations of Saudi Arabia breaching international humanitarian law in Yemen.

20.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen, one of the world’s poorest nations, which has been devastated by a civil war between a Saudi-led coalition and the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels for more than two years.

“While indiscriminate Saudi bombings continue and deliveries of food and medical supplies are blocked. Countries such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom need to halt their arms sales to Saudi Arabia immediately,” Marietje Schaake (D66/ALDE) said.

In a letter, the Greens/EFA coalition pointed out that the “UK is one of the EU countries still exporting high volumes of arms to Saudi Arabia, where Prime Minister Theresa May is currently visiting.” The bloc pointed out that while Theresa May “will no doubt pay lip service to the tragedy facing the people of Yemen during her trip to Saudi Arabia,” these words “will mean nothing” so long as the UK continues to sell billions of euros worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia each year.

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