Calls for UK to suspend arms contracts with Saudi Arabia following hospital bombing
Yesterday's airstrike was the fourth attack on MSF facilities in Yemen in the last year
The government is facing pressure to review its trading arrangements with Saudi Arabia, following an airstrike on an MSF-supported hospital in Yemen.
The strike — the fourth attack on an MSF facility in the last year — took place yesterday afternoon, killing 11 people and injuring at least 19.
‘Once again, today we witness the tragic consequences of the bombing of a hospital,’ said Teresa Sancristóval, desk manager for the MSF Emergency Unit in Yemen.
‘Once again, a fully functional hospital full of patients and MSF national and international staff members, was bombed in a war that has shown no for respect medical facilities or patients.’
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron tweeted that he was ‘horrified by the news’ and called for a suspension of all arms contracts with Saudi Arabia, a call echoed by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.
Horrified by news that another @MSF hospital has been hit in Yemen. No more excuses: UK must urgently suspend all arms contracts with Saudi.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) August 15, 2016
Yet one more Saudi atrocity – British arms sales must stop now: https://t.co/yEFVtOtVUZ
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) August 15, 2016
In recent weeks, both Jeremy Corbyn and the SNP have also called for an ‘urgent review’ of arms sales to Saudi Arabia after bombs dropped in Yemen were linked to UK manufacturers.
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