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US Support for war on Yemen, Iran's Answer to Trump, Tony Gosling on Press TV

531 views · Published 14 February 2017 · 14:08 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: Public Enquiry · 2017 · News & Politics

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Documents presented to the court also revealed the full extent of Britain’s military relationship with Saudi Arabia: 
More than 100 civil servants and armed forces personnel are based in Saudi Arabia to “ensure the supply of modern military aircraft, naval weapons and training”. 
British personnel and officials are based in the Saudi-led coalition’s operational headquarters, where the conflict in Yemen is overseen and air strikes are planned. 
The defence attache at the British Embassy in Riyadh regularly visits the coalition's operational headquarters. The officer who currently holds this role is a one-star general rank. The only British defence attache more senior in rank is based in Washington. 
The British Royal Air Force has a permanent liaison officer of group captain rank based in Riyadh. 
UK military personnel provide logistical and technical support and training to the Royal Saudi Armed Forces. 
UK liaison officers are also based at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence, the Royal Saudi Air Force headquarters. 
UK officers have “knowledge of targeting guidance” given to Saudi forces operating in Yemen. 

Yemeni man inspects damage on street in Taiz after clashes last November (AFP) 
Jamie Merrill Wednesday 8 February 2017 15:46 UTC 
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-government-defends-arms-sales-sau di-arabia-1844692551 

The British government used its “considerable insight” into the actions of the Saudi Arabian military to make its decision to continue arms exports to the kingdom, a London court heard on Wednesday. 

James Eadie QC told the High Court that in considering whether to halt the sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia in February 2016, government ministers used significant “understanding and knowledge" of Saudi processes to make a “considered analysis”. 

But the government's lawyer also appeared to defend Saudi strikes on hospitals and school buildings by saying they could serve as “arms dumps” and could in some circumstances be considered “dual-use” targets, making air strikes legitimate. 

According to evidence presented by the government, ministers discussed arms exports to Saudi Arabia at the "highest levels," and relied on expert evidence from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials to reach their conclusions. 
“The relevant question for the secretary of state is whether there is a clear risk that the items to be licensed might be used in the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law (IHL). That has been the question consistently addressed by the secretary of state,” he said in his written submission to the court. 
Eadie also told the court that Javid, who is now minister for communities and local government, had sought assistance from senior civil servants at the FCO and MoD, as well as then foreign secretary Philip Hammond. Since the case was brought, the role of approving arms exports has been transferred to the new Department of International Trade. He also said officials examined Saudi Arabia's IHL record, its public statements and its willingness to engage in dialogue to make the decision to continue exports. 
Arms traders not 'auditors of foreign states' 
The government’s legal team rejected demands that civil servants must fully investigate each and every allegation of IHL violations. “It is difficult to think those who set criteria for arms sales intended to set themselves up as auditors of foreign states’ conduct of conflict,” Eadie said. 
In a defence of Saudi Arabia, he also said the evidence showed that the country is “not a state flagrantly and wantonly violating IHL. It knows the eyes of the world are on it.” 
To the dismay of campaigners, he said hospitals and school buildings that were targeted by the Saudis could serve as “arms dumps”. He said they could in some circumstances be considered “dual-use” targets, making air strikes legitimate. 

Damage reportedly caused by a Saudi air strike that hit a school in Yemen (Reuters) 
Documents presented to the court also revealed the full extent of Britain’s military relationship with Saudi Arabia: 
More than 100 civil servants and armed forces personnel are based in Saudi Arabia to “ensure the supply of modern military aircraft, naval weapons and training”. 

The MoD’s own figures show it has tracked or is tracking 251 allegations of violations of international humanitarian law by Saudi forces in Yemen. 
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https://politicsthisweek.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/bcfms-weekly-politic s-show-presented-by-tony-gosling-65/

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