Rep. Ro Khanna
Rohit (Ro) KhannaKhanna calls for more Biden actions in Yemen Biden faces family dilemma in Afghanistan Night defense: Biden announces end of US support for offensive operations in Yemen | Pentagon orders use of mask inside and outside the house | COVID military deaths increasing MORE (D-Calif.), A vocal opponent of the Saudi-led offensive in the Yemen civil war, called President biden
Joe BidenWashington Post economics reporter: The Federal Reserve counters arguments that Biden’s COVID-19 plan is too big. Advocate of marijuana legalization: ‘This could be a priority for Congress’ Blinken, UN chief shares first call after the US returns to Climate Agreements, WHO MORE withdraw more campaign support and cut all arms sales to Riyadh.
Khanna welcomed Biden’s reversals of Trump’s administration policies in Yemen, calling them “a major commitment to end US support for the Saudi war in Yemen”. But he added that “our work to support a better future for the people of Yemen is just beginning”.
Biden made a major commitment to end US support for the Saudi war in Yemen. But our work to support a better future for the people of Yemen is just beginning.
What can we do in Yemen? 1 /
– Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) February 11, 2021
Biden has already reversed a policy of supporting the offensive efforts of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition, which has been hammered for killing civilians, and revoked the decision to label the Houthi rebels as a terrorist group, a designation that critics have warned could prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas under its control.
“We need more clarification on what specific military support we will end and, just as important, what support Biden still plans to provide to the Saudis,” Khanna said in a list of demands. “We need a commitment by Biden to use all of his influence to end the Saudi-led blockade of Yemen. My team is asking for clarification on this point and we hope to receive an answer. ”
“We need to confirm that we have closed all arms sales to the Saudis and that we will not comply with any pending arms contracts,” he continued, adding that “we need to press for more humanitarian aid in all parts of Yemen.”
Khanna also called for “full US support and engagement” in the United Nations-led peace process to end the war between the Saudi coalition and the Houthis, who have ties to Iran.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Khanna, along with his progressive colleague Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersSenators show signs of fatigue on the third day of Trump’s trial (I-Vt.), He has been a strong advocate of ending US support for operations in Yemen and reducing military relations with several Gulf countries.
Khanna participated in several efforts to try to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia during the Trump administration, including an effort last month to prevent the sale of millions of dollars in precision guided bombs.
The Trump administration most recently approved a $ 290 million sale to Riyadh of 3,000 small-diameter GBU-39 Bomb I ammunition manufactured by Boeing and related equipment. The approval followed another green light for Raytheon to sell 7,500 of its Paveway “smart” air-to-ground pumps directly to Saudi Arabia for an estimated $ 478 million.
Biden, a week after his inauguration, said he is suspending a series of arms sales from the Trump administration to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pending a review.