December 2018 - The war in Yemen is causing the world's worst catastrophe, having killed tens of thousands of civilians, and threatening famine to 8 million people, half of them children. The Saudi coalition, supported militarily by the US, is carrying out widespread bombing, including hitting hospitals, schools, and civilian areas. This war boiled up in 2015, when the Saudi coalition began the bombing against the insurgent Yemeni Houthis, who apparently received some missiles from Iran that they shot at Saudi Arabia, with little results. Saudi Arabia has now largely closed the harbor of Hudaydah, shutting off the main supply of food and medicine to Yemen.
America has stationed US troops in Saudi Arabia to help with intelligence and bomb targeting and we assist in refueling Saudi bombers. US support for this human catastrophe must stop. A bill in the Senate, S. J. Res 54, calls for the removal of US troops from Saudi Arabia, which would end US targeting assistance, and US airborne refueling. A similar bill in the House was recently voted down by only 18 votes. It will likely come back to the House in 2019. Just as the House bill was coming to the floor, the Administration announced an "intention to halt" the refueling. However, Pres. Trump has not ordered a halt to US arms sales to Saudi Arabia because, he said, the sales are so lucrative.
ACTION: Please do this action immediately as the vote may be at the beginning of December. Urge your Senators, ASAP, to support this bill to help end this horrific human tragedy. We cannot sit by while the US supports action that results in famine for 8 million people, mostly children!
CONTACT: Your Senators
- Web: Find their names and links to their websites at senate.gov, send an email or leave a message via ‘Contact’ on his/her website
- Tel: 202 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard-ask for his/her office & leave a message)
- Mail: Senator (first & last name) S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510
Multiply this Message: Use this information to write a letter to the editor about this important & timely issue. This is a powerful way to educate and mobilize others—our job now & in the coming years!