US demands Saudi Arabia, UAE pay up for Yemen fuel

The United States is seeking a reimbursement of around $331 million from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies over 'unpaid' re-fuelling bills for the war in Yemen, a US senator has said.

On Thursday, US Senator Jack Reed, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said "the Pentagon will now recoup $331 million for US taxpayers from the Saudi-led coalition (SLC).”

Due to “errors in accounting,” the Pentagon in the past said it had not properly charged the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen for refueling services according to an internal Pentagon memo dated November 28. The Pentagon had been undercharging the coalition for these services and the fuel.

A “careful review” found that the Pentagon will try to recover all funds that were spent on fuel, refueling services and flight hours, the announcement said.

“The American people should not be forced to bear these costs, and I am encouraged DOD is taking steps to get full reimbursement,” Reed said using the acronym for the US Department of Defence.

On Thursday, the US Senate sent a fresh warning to President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia by approving a resolution to end US military support for Riyadh's war in Yemen. 

The Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government struck a deal on Thursday to implement a cessation of hostilities in the vital port city of Hodeida, where a famine has been looming due a the Saudi-enabled blockade.

The warring parties are due to hold another round of talks in January to discuss a framework for political negotiations.

The UN says the conflict has killed some 10,000 people and brought 14 million to the brink of famine in the world's worst humanitarian crisis.