US House passes resolution to end military assistance in Yemen

The US House of Representatives passed HJRes 37 on Wednesday calling for the withdrawal of US Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.

The resolution states that only Congress has the authority to declare war. Congress has not made any declarations of war against the Houthis in the Republic of Yemen, who are the target of Saudi Arabian forces. US Armed Forces have supported Saudi Arabia through aerial targeting assistance, intelligence sharing, and mid-flight aerial refueling.

The resolution gives President Donald Trump 30 days to withdraw armed forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen. Armed forces which are involved in operations directed at al Qaeda in the region are exempt from the resolution. The resolution also does not restrict the sharing of intelligence. It is specified that the resolution does not impact military operations and cooperation with Israel.

Within 90 days, the president is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the impacts the withdrawal has on the risks posed to the US, Saudi Arabia, and regional humanitarian crisis. The president must also submit a report on the impacts the withdrawal will have on risks of terrorist attacks against the US and allies.

The resolution passed by a vote of 248-177-1. The vote was largely along party lines with no Democrat voting against the resolution and only 18 Republicans voting in support of the resolution.

A UN rights expert called Yemen the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis” in September. The Senate passed a resolution to withdraw from Yemen in November. The Senate Resolution was held at the House of Representatives.

Source: Jurist