The UK stands accused of joining Saudi Arabia’s military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Six British experts are helping their Saudi colleagues target areas for attacks, according to Sky News. The Ministry of Defence has denied the allegations.
Britain is well known for supplying the Saudi regime with billions of dollars worth of military hardware. However, it now appears the UK is helping the kingdom to use these weapons on the battlefield.
“Human Rights Watch has put out numerous reports about what the Saudis are up to in Yemen – that the British are working hand in glove with the Saudis, helping them, enhancing their capacity to prosecute this war that has led to the death of so many civilians. I think it’s deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” he added.
The claims will come as further embarrassment to the UK with the government coming under pressure to loosen ties with Riyadh. Prime Minister David Cameron postponed a tour of the Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia this week, after public outrage following the country’s decision to execute 47 people, long-time dissenter and prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr among them.
News of the postponement came as it was revealed that Saudi Arabia was the only country omitted from the UK’s international anti-death penalty policy document.