Archive: saudi arabia

31st January 2017
By: Brian Whitaker
When Donald Trump issued his now-notorious travel ban on Friday it was couched mainly in terms of protecting the US from terrorism. Framing it in this way gave its racist undertones an aura of respectability, though thankfully there were millions of people who refused to be fooled. Many opponents… Read more
30th January 2017
By: Brian Whitaker
Donald Trump, America's new ruler, had an hour-long phone conversation yesterday with his Saudi counterpart, King Salman, and allegedly they agreed on just about everything. The Saudi government news agency reported: "The views of the two leaders were identical on the files that were discussed… Read more
27th December 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Saudi police have detained six people for the "crime" of attending a mixed-sex party at an apartment in Jeddah, Okaz newspaper reports. The arrests – which were the result on some interesting detective work – reveal that the kingdom's police are in a high state of readiness "to deal with any… Read more
20th December 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
After a delay of more than six months Saudi Arabia finally admitted yesterday that its coalition forces have been using British-made cluster bombs in Yemen. A statement issued through the Saudi government news agency said the coalition had now "decided to cease usage" of those made in Britain but… Read more
14th December 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Amid concern about civilian casualties in Yemen, the United States is cutting back on arms sales to Saudi Arabia – at a time when the Britain, the kingdom's other main supplier, is trying to increase them. The US has decided not to go ahead with a $350 million sale of 16,000 guidance systems which… Read more
30th October 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Multiple airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen hit two prisons in a Houthi-run security complex yesterday, reportedly killing dozens of people, including prisoners. Other strikes which hit houses in Taiz province are reported to have wiped out two families, including women and children.… Read more
27th October 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Britain's parliament yesterday rejected calls for "a full independent UN-led investigation" into alleged war crimes in Yemen and for suspension of British support to the Saudi-led coalition "until it has been determined whether they have been responsible for any such violations". A motion put… Read more
18th October 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Within hours of airstrikes that killed at least 140 Yemenis attending a funeral on October 8, the Saudi-led coalition flatly denied any involvement. A week later, the Saudis threw up their hands and admitted responsibility. So how did this sudden U-turn come about? The Saudis might be still… Read more
17th October 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Yesterday the United States, Britain and the UN's special envoy issued a joint call for a rapid and unconditional ceasefire in Yemen. "We are not calling for this in a vacuum," US secretary of state John Kerry said; there have been "communications" with representatives of the Houthis who control… Read more
15th October 2016
By: Brian Whitaker
Saudi Arabia now accepts that it should not have bombed the funeral in Yemen last Saturday, killing at least 140 people and injuring more than 500. A statement issued today through the Saudi government news agency blamed the kingdom's Yemeni allies for instigating the attack based on false… Read more