Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) applauds President Joe Biden’s announcement today that the United States will end support for offensive operations in the Saudi/UAE-led coalition’s war in Yemen. Biden also announced plans to step up diplomacy to end the war, including naming a new envoy to help broker a negotiated solution.
Contact: Tim McHugh, media@fcnl.org, 202-903-2515
“This historic decision by President Biden would not have happened if not for years of tireless advocacy from grassroots activists all over the country,” said FCNL General Secretary Diane Randall. “We congratulate all those who devoted so much of themselves to bring about an end to America’s shameful involvement in this war. Today’s announcement is a critical first step and monumental achievement for the peace movement.”
With tacit American support, the Saudi/UAE-led coalition has perpetuated a war and blockade on Yemen since 2015. It has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of Yemenis suffering from starvation, disease, and indiscriminate violence. It has pushed 16 million Yemenis to the brink of famine and caused more than 24 million to rely on food assistance to survive. Yemen is the worst place on earth to be a child, with the conflict claiming the lives of at least 85,000 children under the age of 5.
“As lovers of peace everywhere celebrate today’s news, we must also recognize that so much more must be done to stop the suffering of millions who have lived through six years of war,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, FCNL legislative manager for Middle East policy. “We must continue our collective efforts to bring a comprehensive diplomatic agreement to end the Yemen war. We call on President Biden to work with Congress to pass a Yemen War Powers resolution and ensure that no future executive orders can reverse this decision.”
President Biden’s statement that “this war has to end”, and his commitment to ensure support for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and peace talks, mark an important turning point in U.S. policy in the region. FCNL has been lobbying for these changes since the war began, and today’s progress is due in large part to the persistent work of grassroots advocates all around the country.
Since the start of the war in 2015, FCNL advocacy network all over the country has been pressing to end it and other endless wars. It has been an honor to work in solidarity with Yemeni-Americans, grassroots activists, faith groups, and peace organizations across the country to end complicity in this humanitarian crisis.
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
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