The ongoing conflict in Yemen spurred Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland to sign on to an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, according to a new report.
The embargo has already earned the support of the European Parliament, along with Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Norway.
The Independent reported the countries are joining the weapons ban in response to Saudi Arabia’s support of the Yemeni government, which is battling Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of the country, including its capital.
The war has led to a humanitarian crisis the United Nations has described as “the worst famine in the world in 100 years,” along with a death toll of at least 10,000 not withstanding deaths from the famine. Civilian targets have included schools, school buses, hospitals, food supplies, water infrastructure, and weddings.
The United States has pressed for a ceasefire and peace talks in the region, announcing this month it will stop refueling of Saudi warplanes involved in the conflict earlier. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., sponsored legislation defeated earlier this month to stop a $300 million sale of Lockheed Martin missiles and launchers to Bahrain, part of the Saudi-led coalition involved in the war.
“I think that the war in Yemen is counterproductive. I think that our involvement there is leading to more chaos, I think the Senate has abdicated their duty and their role,” said Paul.
