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      Stop Bombing of Yemen!
      Stop Occupation of Yemen!
      Stop Killing People of Yemen
      Stop Blockade of Yemen!
      Stop War on Yemen!


      By Azza Rojbi

      “Over the past few weeks, we have seen an escalation in the conflict, growing restrictions on humanitarian action and a reduction in essential commercial imports. These factors are compounding the world’s worst humanitarian crisis at a time when millions of Yemenis face acute food insecurity and a possible resurgence of cholera or watery diarrhea. More than 22 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance or protection. Some 8.4 million people are severely food insecure and at risk of starvation. If conditions do not improve, a further 10 million people will fall into this category by the end of the year."

      From a press briefing given on May 24, 2018, by Mark Lowcock, the Uunited Nation’s emergency relief coordinator.

      This warning from the U.N. comes as the Saudi and United Arab Emirates coalition forces are preparing for an assault on the key Yemeni port city of Hodeida. The city is considered a lifeline for the war-ravaged country. Hodeida is Yemen’s third largest city, and about 90% of Yemen's food and most of its medicine is imported through its port. The port is also used for receiving international shipment of humanitarian aid.

      The U.N. and several human rights groups are warning that up to 250,000 people could die if the port city is attacked or besieged and the humanitarian crisis in the country will worsen drastically.

      Who is responsible?

      This horrendous war in Yemen was started by the U.S.-backed Saudi-led coalition in March 2015. Using the pretence of restoring legitimacy and stability to the country, the Saudi government has intervened militarily in what was an internal conflict in Yemen. The Saudi government efforts to reinstate their deposed unpopular puppet, former President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, failed miserably. Their so-called effort to bring back peace and stability in Yemen have created what the U.N. refers to as “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”

      As the Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen enters its fourth year, more than 14,000 people have been killed, and over 22,000 were injured according to the Yemeni Legal Centre for Rights and Development. Multiples horrific testimonies, photos and videos have shown the level of atrocities committed by the Saudi airstrikes from the air and their allied coalition forces on the ground in Yemen.

      According to the Yemen Data Project, the Saudi-led coalition carried out 16,749 air raids in Yemen, or an average of 15 a day, between March 26, 2015, to March 25, 2018.

      All this killing and brutality against the people of Yemen is committed by the Saudi-led coalition with the full backing of the U.S., U.K., Canada and their other imperialist allies. The United States is providing logistical targeting support and mid-air refuelling to Saudi fighter jets and continues to restock the Saudi government with weapons to use in Yemen. The Canadian government has tried to wash its hands of the blood of the Yemeni people by donating to the United Nation's humanitarian efforts, but an investigative article in the Toronto Star exposed that Canada, “exported $284 million worth of weapons and military goods to the countries bombing Yemen”.

      The Yemeni people will prevail

      Despite all of this, the Yemeni people continue to fight and protest against the foreign Saudi-led aggression on their country. They continue to share their stories, their art, their voices to uncover the lies and deceptions by the Saudi-led coalitions and their allies.

      As peace-loving people around the world we must join Yemeni people in exposing the atrocities committed by the Saudi-led coalition and the complicity of the U.S., Canada and their imperialist allies. Let’s join the people of Yemen in standing up for their self-determination, sovereignty, human rights and a bright future for the children of Yemen!

      Follow Azza Rojbi on Twitter: @Azza_R14



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