This Thursday, a US-backed, Saudi-led airstrike has killed at least 29 Yemeni children on a school bus. The bomb smashed into the bus in a marketplace in northern Yemen. The children aboard were reportedly heading to their daily summer camp.
Mass Bombing in Yemen
So far, there have been at least 50 casualties. The Red Cross in Yemen tweeted Thursday about the status of victims they are treating.
New figures from the ICRC-supported hospital in Sa'ada, #Yemen. Our medical team has received:
– the bodies of 29 children, all under 15 years old.
– 48 injured people, among them 30 children.— ICRC (@ICRC) August 9, 2018
The United States has aided the Saudis with fuel, weapons and mid-air support in the strikes against Yemen. They also have supported Saudi Arabia militarily in their blockade of Yemen.
The coalition claimed that the strikes, despite slaughtering dozens of children, were done in accordance with international law. However, international law strictly prohibits the killing of not only children, but any civilians.
Moreover, the group claimed that Houthis, an Islamic group in Yemen, were using children as human shields.
Most of the victims from the bombing were ten years of age or less, according to Johannes Bruwer, The ICRC Yemen’s head of delegation.
Scores killed, even more injured, most under the age of ten. @ICRC_ye sending additional supplies to hospitals to cope with the influx. https://t.co/BBKoiO6bbS
— Johannes Bruwer (@JohannesBruwer1) August 9, 2018
The air strikes appear to be a part of a larger war between the Houthi group and the Yemeni government. The former seized control from the latter in parts of the country three years ago. Since then, the United States and United Kingdom have allied with the Saudis and the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
Behind the Scenes Support for War
Back in the United States, some politicians are voicing their disapproval for the cold-blooded attack. Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Thursday:
U.S. bombs. U.S. targeting. U.S. mid air support.
And we just bombed a SCHOOL BUS.
The Saudi/UAE/U.S. bombing campaign is getting more reckless, killing more civilians, and strengthening terrorists inside Yemen. We need to end this – NOW. https://t.co/P8V2L6Crgi
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 9, 2018
But despite this, Murphy shows a desire to increase military spending. On his official website, Murphy voices his opinion that “a strong military is the foundation of U.S. national security”. He also supports tens of billions of new dollars in funding for F-35s and other war planes. Thus, it appears that the tragedies will only continue, for even the American voices supporting an end are quietly and continually funding the endless stream of bombs and bloodshed.
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