BYM condemns UK/ US airstrikes in Yemen

'As well as having an inevitable cost for the people of Yemen, these bombings risk escalating the already heightened tensions in the Middle East and making the outbreak of wider conflict in the region more likely.'

Quakers have called on the UK government to use peaceful means to resolve conflicts in the Middle East, following the attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen.

The call came after the UK and US carried out dozens of airstrikes in Yemen on 11 and 12 January. The action was in response to attacks from the Houthi political and military group on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Oliver Robertson, head of Witness and Worship for BYM, said: ‘As well as having an inevitable cost for the people of Yemen, these bombings risk escalating the already heightened tensions in the Middle East and making the outbreak of wider conflict in the region more likely.

‘It is also concerning that Parliament was not consulted about the strikes.’

Since 2015, the people of Yemen have suffered under the war between the Yemeni government, the Houthis, and a Saudi-led coalition, said the Quakers in Britain website.

According to the UN, 377,000 people have died in the war and the resulting famine.

‘The UK has supplied billions of pounds worth of arms to the Saudi-led coalition despite evidence they were being used in violations of international law such as attacks on civilians,’ said BYM.

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