US, UK complicit in Saudi war crimes in Yemen: Activist

Press TV has interviewed Kevin Ovenden, a human rights activist from Athens, and Maxine Dovere, a journalist and political commentator from New York, to discuss ongoing arms delivery from the US and Britain to Saudi Arabia despite its deadly military campaign against Yemen.

Ovenden says “Washington and London are complicit in dropping bombs on civilian targets in Yemen,” because “they are providing the targets for the Saudis to hit.”

The United States is after gaining control of Saudi Arabia’s huge oil resources; therefore, it is supporting the kingdom’s attacks against its neighbors such as Yemeni and Bahraini people, the activist adds.

The US and Britain could immediately stop arms delivery to Riyadh but they have chosen to continue the weapons sales to keep the oil-rich kingdom’s investment in the Western economy, Ovenden says.

He says the United States and Britain have even struck new deals to sell more arms to the kingdom, which is grossly destroying Yemen.

Despite the protests against the arms deals with Saudi Arabia inside the US Congress and the British parliament, Washington and London have failed to question the Saudis on how they are using the weapons.

Dovere, for her part, says Saudi Arabia is one of the most important allies of the United States in the Middle East, adding that US officials keep providing arms to Riyadh as they believe the regime contributes to regional stability.

She further said it is not clear whether civilian infrastructure in Yemen is used for non-military purposes, adding, however, that the Saudi military should stop “horrendous” bombings of civilian targets.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk