Western Leaders Told to Stop ’Stoking the Flames of War’ in Yemen
Local Editor
More than 350 high-profile figures including six Nobel peace prize laureates, former military generals, politicians, diplomats and celebrities have marked the 1,000th day of the Yemen war by calling on leaders of France, the US and the UK to stop "stoking the flames of war" and instead use their seats on the UN security council to act as peace brokers.
The signatories to the statement, including Juliette Binoche, Charlotte Rampling and Peter Gabriel, as well as religious leaders and heads of most of the main UK aid agencies, say Yemen is at a tipping point.
Their statement to the leaders of the three western nations said: "If you don't want the burden of the lives of thousands more Yemeni children on your hands, then the time to act is now. Yemen can't wait any longer."
"To prevent further catastrophe and famine, Yemen needs an immediate ceasefire; an end to all blockages on access for food, fuel and medical supplies; and investment in a new, inclusive peace process."
The appeal came after the UK international development Secretary Penny Mordaunt vowed she would monitor fresh assurances given to her personally by leaders in Saudi Arabia that they will stop obstructing humanitarian and commercial aid being sent to the key western ports in Yemen, deepening an already critical humanitarian aid crisis.
Yemen is gripped by a brutal war that has lasted 1,000 days as of Tuesday. There is a growing international outcry at Saudi methods used against the Yemeni population.
In the Commons last week, British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said he warned the Saudis against using starvation as a weapon of war.
Mourdant further referred to the Saudis as saying: "It is very clear that if you are using starvation as a weapon you are in breach of international humanitarian law."
Source: The Guardian, Edited by website team
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