YEMEN is enduring a disaster on an apocalyptic scale.
The humanitarian crisis grows daily, with an estimated 14 million people on the verge of famine.
And let’s not forget the war’s 16,000 casualties.
This week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis demanded an end to hostilities.
They are calling on the coalition, led by Saudi Arabia and seven other Gulf states, to end air strikes and participate in UN-led peace talks within 30 days.
It’s an astonishing turnaround for the US, which until now has refused to condemn their Saudi allies.
Like the UK and France, the Americans continue to provide logistical and intelligence support to the coalition in their war against Iran-backed insurgents in Yemen.
However, the situation is delicate, with all three countries signed up to defence contracts worth billions of dollars, while there’s growing evidence of what might be considered war crimes.
It’s a fact that coalition forces are bombing heavily populated areas and driving the country to famine by blockading the main Hodeidah port, despite international condemnation.
Ironically, the US position appears to have hardened only after the horrendous death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, tortured and killed inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey three weeks ago.
Until now, embassies have been a diplomatic privilege offered by one country to another.
In abusing that privilege, the Saudis show disdain for global order.
Human rights’ organisations have welcomed US calls for a ceasefire, but other members of the UN Security Council – China, Russia, France and the UK – have so far failed to back it.
It’s time we did.
Yemen is a tinderbox, threatening the entire region.
We cannot just look on while millions starve.