Congressman Warns US Could Be Prosecuted for War Crimes in Yemen
Published on Friday, November 04, 2016
by Common Dreams
U.S. may be violating laws of war 'if U.S. personnel are not aware if targets are civilian or military...or if the operation is even militarily necessary'
by Nadia Prupis, staff writer
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) is warning the Obama administration that U.S. military personnel could be prosecuted for war crimes for their role in the Saudi Arabia-led coalition bombings of Yemen.
In a letter (pdf) sent Thursday to Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Lieu said American assistance in mid-air refueling and other military support has enabled the coalition to bomb hospitals, schools, and civilian populations amid the fight against the Houthi rebels.
Promising to take precautions does not preclude the U.S. from being complicit in war crimes, the congressman and former Air Force Reserve colonel said.
"I find it deeply troubling that the U.S. apparently has no advanced knowledge of what targets will be struck by jets that are refueled by U.S. personnel with U.S. tankers. Reports last month revealed that State Department lawyers were concerned about potential violations of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) by the coalition, but the administration nevertheless chose to proceed to aid and abet the coalition," Lieu wrote.
The letter came in response to a statement by a senior official on Wednesday that U.S. support for the coalition does not include "target selection and review."
More:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/11/04/congressman-warns-us-could-be-prosecuted-war-crimes-yemen
