Saudi Arabia: Cluster Bombs and Other Questionable Practices
On December 23, Human Rights Watch reported that a Saudi-led coalition had used cluster munitions in attacks against schools in Saada, Yemen. This is far from the first time that the Saudis have been accused of using these diabolical weapons:
- September/October, 2016: Dozens of civilians killed using U.S.-made weapons
- December 19, 2016: Saudi Arabia admits it used UK-made cluster bombs against Houthi rebels in Yemen
And those are just a few examples.
The problem with cluster bombs is that there is no precision involved: they wreak havoc across immense areas, with no distinction between civilians and combatants. The video below serves as a good explanation of how cluster bombs work:
How Cluster Bombs Work
Recognizing the danger of these munitions, the United Nations officially banned these weapons in the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. Saudi Arabia, however, has not signed or ratified the convention. The United States has signed but has yet to ratify.
In response to accusations of attacks on civilians at the beginning of 2016, the European Parliament called for an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. The motion passed by a vote of 359 to 212, but it was more a symbolic gesture than anything.
US arms trade with Saudi Arabia conflicts with its interest in a peaceful reconciliation between the Yemeni government and the rebels. The US relies heavily on Saudi Arabian oil, so their move to suspend a $350 million arms deal in December 2016 was both surprising and bold.
There has long been concern about Saudi Arabia's status as an ally to the US due to human rights concerns even beyond cluster munitions. Saudi Arabian women aren't allowed to drive cars or leave home without a male relative serving as escort. The nation is also very liberal in its use of capital punishment, including the execution of a member of the royal family. More information on this topic can be found in my research paper, Human Rights in Saudi Arabia and US-Saudi Relations (available on this website.)
The suspension of the arms deal with Saudi Arabia is promising, but more must be done if the US is to claim that it is not a party to the atrocities that are occurring in Yemen. A diminished reliance on foreign oil would assure that US dollars were not funding inhumane practices in the Middle East. However, due to the election of Donald Trump, it is reasonable to assume that the US will not be taking steps to achieve this goal for at least the next four years.
Should the US cut ties with Saudi Arabia due to its inhumane war tactics and human rights violations? Let me know what you think in the comments.
