Yemen

Washington, DC – Today, the Friends Committee on National Legislation released a letter – signed by more than eighty other state and national organizations – stressing the importance of releasing all suspended USAID funding for Yemen.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) welcomes the declaration by Saudi Arabia of a two-week ceasefire to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Yemen. The Saudis should also suspend their air and sea blockade, which has cut off all commercial imports into and exports from the country. The blockade has prolonged and exacerbated the physical and economic suffering of millions of innocent Yemenis.

It was one year ago on Oct. 2 that Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by agents of the Saudi Arabian government. In memory of the Washington Post journalist, advocacy groups held a press conference in front of the Saudi Embassy, demanding justice and calling on the U.S. to reevaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Our Middle East lobbyist, Hassan El-Tayyab, delivered the following remarks at the event:

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and more than 60 national advocacy groups today urged congressional leaders to end all U.S. support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their war against the Houthis in Yemen.

FCNL joined more than 60 national advocacy groups in sending a letter to leaders in the House and Senate, urging an end to all U.S. support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in their war against the Houthis in Yemen.

In the wake of news that the Trump Administration is preparing to engage in direct talks with the Houthi forces in Yemen, Al Jezeera spoke with Hassan El-Tayyab, FCNL’s Legislative Representative for Middle East Policy.

FCNL joined 40 organizations in sending a letter to House leadership applauding their support of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would halt all U.S. military aid for the illegal Saudi-led war in Yemen.

On June 3, FCNL joined 45 advocacy groups in sending a letter to Congress calling for an end to U.S. participation in the Saudi-UAE coalition’s war in Yemen. during consideration of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Defense Appropriations bills.

Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) hailed today’s landmark Senate vote to end American involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The legislation (S.J. Res 7), passed 54-46, enforces the 1973 War Powers Act by ending American military participation in a war that has killed untold thousands and put millions of Yemenis on the brink of starvation.

The Senate recently voted to advance legislation that will end American participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. As of press time, the Senate still needs to hold a final vote on this issue, but it is expected before the end of the 115th Congress.