Saudis say UK cluster bombs were used in Yemen

UK-SUPPLIED cluster bombs have been used by Saudi Arabian-led forces in the war in Yemen.

A “limited number” of BL-755 cluster munitions exported from the UK in the 1980s have been dropped by the Arab coalition.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon welcomed Saudi Arabia’s confirmation it will not use further BL-755 cluster munitions.

Britain’s sales of military equipment to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies will be kept under review, Sir Michael said.

Labour described the news as “deeply worrying”.

Making a statement in the Commons, Sir Michael told MPs: “One specific allegation – that UK-supplied cluster munitions were used in January this year – was raised in this House on May 24.

“The United Kingdom signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2008 and has not supplied any such weapons to Saudi Arabia since 1989 – more than a quarter of a century ago.

“Our initial view, set out by the then minister of state for defence procurement and based on information we held at the time, was that a UK weapon had not been used but we committed to analyse the allegation and to seek a full investigation.

“That investigation has now concluded.

“The coalition confirmed that a limited number of BL-755 cluster munitions exported from the United Kingdom in the 1980s were dropped in Yemen, including in the incident alleged by Amnesty International not far from the Saudi border by a coalition aircraft.”

The bombs were manufactured by the Bedfordshire company Hunting Engineering Ltd in the 1970s.