Biden Pledges Support to Saudi King as Yemen Death Toll Soars; | G3 News

Biden Pledges Support to Saudi King as Yemen Death Toll Soars; "Unchecked, Horrific Violations" Since UN Monitors Left

@G3News: U.S. President Biden spoke with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Wednesday (Feb. 9) and reaffirmed his “commitment to support” Saudi Arabia against attacks from Yemen’s Houthis.

“The President underscored the U.S. commitment to support Saudi Arabia in the defense of its people and territory from these attacks,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

The call came after a significant escalation in the Saudi-led coalition’s air war in Yemen, with January being the most deadly month for civilians in the country since 2016.

The removal of U.N. human rights monitors from Yemen went about as badly as most predicted, with the Norwegian Refugee Council confirming Thursday (Feb. 10) that the first four months have seen “unchecked, horrific violations,” and urging the monitors be reinstated.

The monitors were meant to lead to accountability in violence against civilians. The U.N. Human Rights Council voted 21-18 to eliminate this program in October, with the Saudis heavily lobbying against the monitors, and accusing them of “spreading misinformation.”
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