Conflict in Yemen: Italy stops arms exports to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi
Thick black smoke erupted from one of the buildings at Aden Airport (illustrative image).
REUTERS - FAWAZ SALMAN
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Italy will stop its arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two countries involved in the conflict in Yemen.
This announcement comes after that of the new American administration which goes in the same direction.
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Italy revokes permits to export missiles and bombs to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio speaks on his Twitter account of a message of peace and respect for human rights.
Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are indeed involved in
the war in Yemen.
They have been supporting the Yemeni government since 2015 against rebels, the Houthis.
But they are regularly accused of bribes against civilians.
And there is a lot of pressure in different countries to call for an end to arms supplies to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
After initially suspending these exports, Italy is therefore clearly stopping them.
A decision described as "historic" by the Italian Network for Peace and Disarmament.
According to this NGO, 12,700 bombs will therefore not be delivered.
Italy follows in the wake of the United States.
On Wednesday, the new Biden administration announced that it was suspending sales of arms to Saudi Arabia and of F35 fighter jets to the Emirates, in order to “reconsider” decisions taken under President Donald Trump.
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Italy
Defense
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia