US: Saudis, UAE cutting civilian risks in Yemen

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has “certified” that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are working to reduce risks to civilian life in Yemen — a key step to ensuring continued US support to the coalition.

Under new rules, Congress requires the certification to continue allowing US air tankers to refuel Saudi and UAE warplanes.

In a statement, Pompeo noted that both Saudi Arabia and UAE “are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments.”

On September 1, the coalition admitted that “mistakes” had been made in an August airstrike that killed 40 children.

In an unclassified report, obtained by AFP, Pompeo said civilian casualties must be reduced “for both strategic and moral reasons.”