The War in Yemen is the worst manmade humanitarian disaster in the 21st century, and the United States has sponsored it from the start. Nevertheless, on December 13, 2022, the Senate will vote to discharge S.J. Resolution 56, also known as the Yemen War Powers Resolution, from committee. If passed, the legislation would “remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against the Houthis in Yemen within 30 days of the enactment of this joint resolution unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date, issues a declaration of war, or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces.” Taking such action does not end all U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, nor does it force them to stop fighting. It simply requires the Biden administration to reduce the amount of support it provides to the kingdom.

We have written throughout the year on the War in Yemen.

  • After the United States voted in favor of UNSCR 2216 at the behest of the UAE in March. Jonathan wrote at the time, “Washington backed the UAE’s resolution despite fears that it could delay peace and scare off private importers who provide most of Yemen’s food.”
  • We wrote in April that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates hope to entangle the United States in their conflict by increasingly purchasing U.S. weapons and seeking reassurances – all without offering anything in return.
  • Jordan wrote in June that proponents of arms sales to Saudi Arabia say they cannot stop because it is too time-consuming to review the human rights records of recipients.
  • In July, Jordan wrote that Biden’s acceptance of the Saudi government – and willingness to break campaign promises on their behalf – is baffling.
  • In September, we wrote that weapons sales do not improve the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, provide Washington leverage over Riyadh, or compel Washington to use any leverage it has.
  • As we wrote in October, current U.S. arms sales procedures grant near-absolute power to the Executive Branch absent a 2/3 majority in both chambers of Congress. The Yemen War Powers Act provides another avenue that is yet to be used.
  • Because U.S. arms sales directly helped cause the atrocities, we wrote in November that the United States owes the Yemenis assistance to save the population from starvation. While immediate aid is needed to save lives, the situation in Yemen cannot truly improve until hostilities have ended.

Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen is one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies in history. Due to both a lack of plausible options to stop individual weapons sales to the Saudis and the Biden administration’s desire to continue support to Riyadh, Congress has failed to end sales. The U.S. relationship with the Saudis enables this humanitarian catastrophe and provides no return on investment for Washington.