US lawmakers slam Saudi-Emirati arming of al-Qaeda militants in Yemen

On Monday, US news outlet CNN reported that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were supplying anti-Houthi fighters allegedly linked to al-Qaeda.

“These reports are very troubling and the Trump administration must investigate further and work to prevent this from happening again,” Democratic Representative Eliot Engel said at a hearing.

“Should Congress pursue greater restrictions on offensive weapons to the Saudi coalition?” asked Engel, who as chairman has the right to review and pause major foreign weapons sales.

The State Department said it was investigating the allegations. “We are aware of these reports and seeking additional information,” a department official said, adding that all such reports are taken seriously.

Later on Wednesday, the committee voted in favour of a war powers resolution that would stop Washington from providing any further support to the Saudis and other countries fighting the Houthi rebels.

The Yemen conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of people at risk of mass starvation.

The war between the Houthis and troops loyal to the government escalated in March 2015, when President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh-led coalition intervened.

The World Health Organisation has put the death toll since 2015 at more than 10,000 people but rights groups say that figure could be five times higher.

Follow us on Twitter: @The_NewArab