Senate blocks bill to restrict US military role in Yemen

▶ Defence secretary sends letter urging House against war powers resolution

The United States Senate yesterday voted to sink a resolution that would have restricted the US military role in Yemen and ended its support for the Saudi-led coalition.

Two hours after Donald Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, the Senate voted 55 to 44 in favour of suspending the Yemen war powers resolution.

The bill called for an end to all US military operations in support of the Saudi-led coalition, requiring any US forces not involved in fighting Al Qaeda to leave the country within 30 days.

Sponsored by independent senator Bernie Sanders, Republican senator Mike Lee and Democrat Chris Murphy, the bill called for operations to be halted “unless and until a declaration of war or specific authorisation for such use of United States armed forces has been enacted”.

The move to shelve the resolution came after strong opposition from the Pentagon and Defence Secretary James Mattis. Mr Mattis met members of Congress and sent a letter urging an effort to scuttle the bill and avoid any restrictions on the US military.

Mr Mattis’s letter, reported by The Washington Post, said that the resolution, if passed, “could increase civilian casualties, jeopardise co-operation with our partners on counter-terrorism, and reduce our influence with the Saudis – all of which would further exacerbate the situation and humanitarian crisis”.

On Monday, Prince Mohammed met members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

A statement from the Saudi embassy in Washington said “the Crown Prince also discussed the situation in Yemen, and how the two countries can work together towards a political solution”. The Saudi side also emphasised the need to counter moves by Iran and the Iranbacked Houthi militias, particularly the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles. The Saudis also expressed concern that attacks on shipping could “destabilise the Gulf region”.

The war enters its fourth year this month. Mr Mattis visited Oman last week to address arms smuggling to the Houthis and to explore political paths towards a possible settlement. After the visit, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi travelled to Iran and held talks with Iranian officials.