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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Two US officials told Reuters on Friday that the United States could suspend Saudi Arabian coalition aircraft fueling in Yemen, an initiative that would put an end to one of the key issues. the most controversial US aid to the war in Saudi Arabia Yemen.
The officials, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that both countries were considering the matter and suggested that the decision could be made by Saudi Arabia, given its own refueling capacity.
It was unclear what motivated the change, as the US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was outraged by the international community. After Democratic and Republican lawmakers threatened to take action in Congress for refueling operations.
The Pentagon, the State Department and the White House declined to comment.
"We continue to have discussions with the Saudis. We have nothing to report at the moment, "Pentagon spokeswoman Major Rebecca Rebarich said.
Critics have long questioned the US's involvement in the war, which has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced more than 2 million people and caused widespread famine in Yemen since the beginning of 2015.
The United States previously defended its aid to the Saudi-led coalition on the grounds that it aimed to end the conflict with a negotiated resolution.
Senators Todd Young, a Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat, on Friday urged the Trump government to stop refueling Saudi Arabian aircraft.
"If the administration does not take immediate action … we are ready to take further action when the Senate resumes its work," said Young and Shaheen.
Report by Phil Stewart; written by Makini Brice; edited by David Alexander and Sonya Hepinstall
