Between March 31 and April 8, four oil tankers allowed rare permission from Yemen’s internationally recognized government – backed by Saudi Arabia and its military – to dock. But humanitarian agencies in Yemen told CNN the fuel was not nearly enough to provide aid to millions of people in the north of the country, where bags of famine had arrived. There were no indications from the government or Saudi Arabia that they intend to dock the other ten vessels.
The letter, signed by leading Democrats, such as the chairman of the House Intelligence Service, Adam Schiff of California, the judicial chairman, Jerry Nadler of New York, and several members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, calls on Biden to join the Saudi regime in public to end the blockade.
“It must include guarantees that humanitarian and commercial imports can enter Yemen freely; entrust the security oversight to the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM); fully allow flights inside and outside Sana’a airport; civilian traffic permanently opened; become, ”reads the letter.
In response to the CNN report, Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat said the country would agree to a UN – backed proposal to end the conflict in Yemen. The proposal will include a ceasefire and an end to the blockade. It was the first time the Saudi government had acknowledged that a blockade of any kind existed. The government of Houthi and Yemen has not yet agreed to the UN proposals.
Saudi Arabia has waged a six-year war in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who ousted the internationally recognized government from Sana’a in 2015. The conflict has become the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
The Foreign Ministry expressed optimism that some fuel vessels could dock in Yemeni ports, but made it clear that this was only part of the problem. The department is still concerned that the resources entering the country are not adequate for the needs of the population.
“The free flow of fuel and other essential goods to and through Yemen is critical to support the delivery of humanitarian aid and other essential activities,” Ned Price said on March 24. “The United States appreciates this decision of the Republic of the Government of Yemen. The fuel must go to the Yemeni markets without delay to provide power hospitals, ensure food supply and access to water, and generally help the suffering of the Yemenite people. ‘
The members of Congress make it clear in their letter that they want the blockade removed in its entirety.
They are concerned that the situation in Yemen is deteriorating. In their letter, the legislators mention that about 16 million people are at risk of starvation due to the blockade. A group of Yemeni Americans from Michigan was on a hunger strike in solidarity with the Yemenis. Their efforts led their congressman, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, encouraged to sign the letter.
“Ending US support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen alone is not enough if we continue the blockade. It is predicted that 400,000 Yemeni children under the age of 5 could die of starvation if this blockade continues – it must now be lifted, ‘Dingell said. “That’s why I was proud today to lead my colleagues to pressure the Biden-Harris government to use the leverage to end this blockade. With a large Yemeni community in the 12th District of Michigan, I still see the pain and devastation our neighbors have caused. because they lost family and friends to this war and the ensuing humanitarian crisis that caused it. ‘
The group about the hunger strike that was set up in front of the White House on Tuesday and received a visit from rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat.
The Biden government earlier this year ended support for all Saudi-led offensive operations. CNN released the White House for its response to the letter.
A collection of 70 national organizations sent a similar letter to Biden with a plea to put pressure on the Saudi government. The signatories of the letter include several well-known celebrities who have endorsed Biden’s presidential campaign, such as actors Mark Ruffalo, Amy Schumer and Alyssa Milano.
CNN’s Maegan Vazquez and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.