US Senate Approves Resolution to End Support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen War

On Wednesday, December 7, members of the US Senate voted 63 to 37 to consider a resolution to end support for the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war, following statements from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis regarding the Yemen conflict and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi Crown Prince. Reports indicate that Mattis and Pompeo presented arguments in defense of continued US support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war, but these explanations had 'little impact on changing the views of opposing senators.' According to the Associated Press, the resolution was proposed by independent Senator Bernie Sanders, Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah, and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut, and is now set to be voted on for final consideration in the Senate floor. Senator Christian Cortez from Nevada stated that the explanations from government officials helped him support the resolution. The report adds that at least 18 senators changed their votes in favor of this resolution compared to six months ago. Since the beginning of Saudi Arabia's military intervention in the Yemen civil war to combat Iran-backed Houthi militants, thousands have been killed, and millions of Yemenis are on the brink of starvation. Two weeks ago, Save the Children announced that approximately 85,000 Yemeni children under the age of five may have died from starvation during this period. US support for the Saudi-led military coalition in the Yemen war has drawn criticism from several members of the US Congress. In this context, Mike Pompeo stated before attending a closed Senate meeting that reducing relations with Saudi Arabia is a significant error against US national interests and will not lead Riyadh to choose a better path in its internal affairs. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the rejection of senators' request for Gina Haspel, the head of the CIA, to attend this meeting has drawn criticism from several senators. The Associated Press notes that 14 Republican senators voted in favor of this resolution. The timeline of the Yemen conflict includes: 1990 - Unification of North and South Yemen under President Ali Abdullah Saleh. 1994 - Saleh prevents the South from seceding again, leading to a civil war. 2003-2009 - Protests by the Zaydi Shia Houthis in northern Yemen against marginalization, resulting in six battles with Saleh's forces and one battle with Saudi forces. 2011 - Arab Spring protests weaken Saleh's government and cause divisions in the military, allowing Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to seize large parts of the east. 2012 - As part of a Gulf Cooperation Council-backed political transition plan, Saleh steps down, and Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi becomes interim president, tasked with overseeing a 'national dialogue' and arranging a comprehensive federal constitution. 2013 - Al-Qaeda continues attacks across the country, undermining the political transition. 2014 - Houthis rapidly move south from Saada and capture Sanaa with Saleh's help, demanding power sharing. 2015 - Hadi attempts to pass a new federal constitution despite Houthi and Saleh opposition but is detained and escapes. His pursuit by Houthis in March prompts Saudi intervention and the formation of a rapid Arab military coalition against Houthis. Months later, the Arab coalition manages to push Houthis and Saleh supporters out of Aden and Marib but the front lines remain unchanged, marking the beginning of a prolonged military stalemate. 2016 - The Arab coalition imposes a blockade on Yemen, increasing hunger. The coalition accuses Iran of smuggling missiles to Houthis through the port of Hudaydah, which Iran denies. Continued coalition attacks and civilian casualties spark criticism from human rights groups. 2017 - Houthis launch an increasing number of missiles into Saudi Arabia, reaching even Riyadh. Saleh abandons his alliance with Houthis and joins the Saudi coalition, but is killed while attempting to flee from Houthis. 2018 - Coalition-backed forces, including those carrying the southern separatists' flag, advance along the Red Sea coast against Houthis, aiming to capture the port of Hudaydah, the main entry point for food into Yemen.