Bernie Sanders: US Should Pull Out of War in Yemen if Saudis Killed Journalist

By Megan Keller, The Hill

16 October 18

 

en. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Sunday that the U.S. should withdraw its support from Saudi Arabia in Yemen's civil war over allegations that the Saudi government murdered a dissident journalist.

"I think one of the strong things that we can do is not only stop military sales, not only put sanctions on Saudi Arabia, but most importantly, get out of this terrible, terrible war in Yemen led by the Saudis," Sanders told CNN's "State of the Union."

"It's clear, we cannot have an ally who murders in cold blood, in their own consulate, a critic, a dissident, that is unacceptable," Sanders said regarding Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish authorities say Saudi operatives murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Khashoggi, who penned articles critical of the Saudi government, has been missing since he entered the consulate on that date.

Saudi Arabia has denied the Turkish authorities' allegations, calling them "baseless."

Sanders has previously been vocal about his opposition to the war in Yemen, something he mentioned to ABC's "This Week" this morning.

He referenced a resolution he had previously introduced with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), saying that the U.S.'s current support for the Saudis in Yemen "is unconstitutional."

"It is a humanitarian disaster," Sanders said. "So probably the most significant thing we should do is to end our involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen."

President Trump has said that the U.S. will severely punish Saudi Arabia if the accusations are discovered to be true regarding Khashoggi, but did not indicate he would end arms deals with the country.

Saudi Arabia said Sunday in a statement that it will meet any action "with greater action."