Explosives sent to Saudi may be used against Yemen civilians, says Greenpeace

Madrid has handed over to Saudi Arabia more than 300 containers of explosives, according to Greenpeace, who have expressed concern that the explosives will be used to commit war crimes in Yemen.

“We have raised this issue with the Spanish government, and the latter has assured us that the documents accompanying the issuance of licenses for the sale of these weapons clearly emphasise their non-use,” the organisation’s spokesman Alberto Stevens, told Al Jazeera.

Read: Arms sales to Saudi Arabia can continue despite fears of war crimes

“But we have real doubts that the Saudi authorities will not meet this commitment, especially given the record of Riyadh in particular,” he added.

Stevens called on the Spanish authorities “to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the risk that they will be used to commit atrocities and war crimes in Yemen”.

According to the organisation, Spain is the third largest arms exporter to Saudi Arabia after America and Britain.

These weapons include fighter jets, mortars and various other types of ammunition. Stevens referred to a recent report by an NGO which contained documents proving the use of Spanish weapons by both Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in the war in Yemen.


https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170809-explosives-sent-to-saudi-may-be-used-against-yemen-civilians-says-greenpeace/