President Donald Trump has vetoed a bill passed in Congress to invoke the “War Powers Resolution” to try and end US assistance to Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
This move came on Wednesday with Congress lacking the power to override his decision. The US House approved the resolution earlier this month on a 247-175 vote and lost in the Senate last month with votes tallying 54-46.
Rosiland Jordan, Al Jazeera journalist, reports that at least two Democratic congressmen were calling to override Trump’s veto.
She further states:
"Members of the Congress are also angry that the Trump administration is continuing with the pattern of never-ending war around the world without getting the express permission of the Congress first".
David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), has described the veto as being an "effective green light for the war strategy that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis to continue”.
He further states:
"Yemen is at a breaking point with 10 million people on the brink of famine. There are as many as 100 civilian casualties per week, and Yemenis are more likely to be killed at home than in any other structure.”
Aid groups have estimated that 60,000 civilians have been killed in the war, around 85,000 children starved to death and, millions are "one step away from famine".
Al Jazeera reports that since 2015, the US has provided “aerial refuelling of jets, reconnaissance, targeting and intelligence information to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)” during the Yemen war.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are supportive of the government and are waging war against Houthi rebels which are supported by Iran.
The UAE has welcomed the veto stating that it was "timely and strategic".
Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Twitter:
"President Trump's assertion of support to the Arab Coalition in Yemen is a positive signal,"
In a statement Trump said:
"This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future”.
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