“Look like war crimes to me”: Congressman raises concerns over U.S. support for Saudi war in Yemen

[rug]

Rep. Ted Lieu wants the government to stop backing the Saudi-led coalition's brutal bombing of Yemeni civilians



A Yemeni man cries out after a Saudi-led bombing in Yemen's capital Sanaa, on February 10, 2016 (Credit: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah)

THURSDAY, MAR 17, 2016 07:57 AM EDT
BEN NORTON

For almost a year, a Saudi-led coalition of Middle Eastern countries, backed and armed by the U.S. and U.K., has been bombing Yemen, the poorest country in the region. Saudi Arabia hopes to destroy Yemeni rebel groups such as the Houthis, and has bombed hospitals, homes, schools and even a refugee camp in the process.

Civilians have paid a heavy toll for the conflict. Thousands have been killed, and human rights groups have for months accused the coalition of committing war crimes.

Less than three weeks ago, the Saudi-led coalition bombed a market near Yemen’s capital Sanaa, killing at least 40 people, most of whom were civilians. This week, the U.S.-backed coalition bombed another market, killing at least 41 civilians, wounding scores more.

There has been little discussion of the war in the U.S. media, and American politicians have rarely acknowledged its existence.

http://www.salon.com/2016/03/17/look_like_war_crimes_to_me_congressman_raises_concerns_over_u_s_support_for_saudi_war_in_yemen/

[think]

1. K&R. Thank you Rep. Ted Lieu for making these observations. Hopefully America will

stop the madness...

[rug]

2. + 1776

[arcane1]

3. No Americans are getting bombed on, so it's OK.

[lsewpershad]

4. Never a war crime

if America is involved in anyway.

[Blue_Tires]

5. The same Ben Norton who's been silent

About Russia invading Ukraine and the civilians they've killed in Syria?

He should look in a fucking mirror...

[JEB]

6. USA has a Kissinger-esque policy with SA.

Repulsive to the core of my being. Fear and greed are not the only motivators for humans or nations, so why does the USA rely so much on them?

[davidthegnome]

7. They ARE war crimes.

When it comes to bombing schools... hospitals...refugee camps... slaughtering the poor with a blatant disregard for who is guilty and /or innocent...

The US is, sadly, famous for repeatedly committing these kinds of crimes and writing them off as "collateral damage". How is this different from when terrorists blow up or own buildings and kill our own innocent people? How is this so different over there, than it would be if it were happening right here? Time to stop... time to let cooler heads prevail, time to sue for peace, for compassion, for human understanding and for diplomacy. For the common good.

Some times we have to fight because we have no other option. Some times, it is necessary to commit violence to save lives. This kind of reckless destruction though... should be objected to, argued against, denounced and condemned at every opportunity. The terrorists of tomorrow are being created through the reckless slaughter of today.

There are... international laws, standards, and even generally accepted common human standards of behavior that could all apply here.

[maxsolomon]

8. the Vice report on HBO was unbelievable

world heritage sites, destroyed. cities, gone. indiscriminate bombing of non-combatants.

the Shiite Houthis are getting slaughtered, and it's with weapons we sold the Sauds.

[Octafish]

9. Yemen gets the short end of the fuse.

And the USA -- through its beloved proxy King Oil -- continues to make enemies faster than it can kill them.