THE British government is facing mounting pressure to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia after President Joe Biden announced an end to US support for the bombing of Yemen.

The United States, which will freeze arms sales to the despotic kingdom, is the world’s largest exporter of military supplies. Between 2015 and 2019, US-made weaponry accounted for almost three-quarters of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Britain has also been a major provider of arms to the Saudi-led coalition bombing Yemen. Since the war began in March 2015, Britain has licensed at least £5.4 billion worth of military equipment to the Saudi regime.

The true figure is likely to be far higher, since bombs and missiles are licensed via the secretive open licence system. 

Sarah Waldron of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said: “The US government is the biggest arms dealer in the world, so this could be an important step towards ending this terrible war. 

“It also puts the spotlight firmly on to the UK government and companies that have armed, supported and enabled the brutal bombardment. 

“Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians and bombed schools, hospitals and homes. No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the UK government. 

“That support must end and so must the arms sales that have done so much damage.”

CAAT is leading a legal challenge to the government’s resumption of sales to Saudi Arabia, after a Court of Appeal ruling in 2019 that it had acted unlawfully when licensing sales without an assessment of whether they are being used in violation of international humanitarian law.

Labour’s shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The government’s support for the Saudi campaign in Yemen is not only morally wrong but increasingly leaves Britain isolated on the world stage.  

“President Biden’s decision to end US support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the UK worryingly out of step with our allies.

“Ministers must now take long overdue action to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and end the UK’s role in a conflict which has caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”