U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is urging Saudi Arabia to be more “measured” in its military intervention in war-ravaged Yemen, a day after President Trump called for the end of the Saudi-led blockade in order to allow for delivery of humanitarian aid and commercial shipments.
Tillerson also reiterated Trump’s calls for a “complete end” to the Saudi blockade of Yemen.
Speaking in Paris on Friday about Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Yemen war and its diplomatic dispute with Qatar, Tillerson said: “I would encourage (the Saudis) to be a bit more measured and a bit more thoughtful in those actions, and fully consider the consequences,” the Associated Press reports.
As The Hill reports, critics of Trump in Washington praised the turnaround.
“Though long overdue, I’m glad President Trump is calling on Saudi Arabia to immediately allow humanitarian aid and vital commercial goods like food, fuel and medicine to flow into Yemen,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), according to The Hill. “His statement is important, and I expect Saudi Arabia to heed our calls. The Trump administration must continue to make clear to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will not support a campaign that intentionally starves civilians into submission.”
