Consequences of UK airstrikes on Yemen

Critics of the government’s foreign policy are alarmed that the UK has now joined the US in bombing Yemen (UK launches Yemen airstrikes, joining US campaign against Houthi rebels, 30 April). If anything, such attacks are likely to confirm the Houthis’ determination to resist what they see as imperialist support for a murderous Israel. A better way to keep British shipping free from attack would be to cease arms sales to Benjamin Netanyahu and clearly state UK opposition to Israeli war crimes against Palestinian civilians. Such a policy shift is overdue.

A key constitutional point has also been raised – surely parliament should have been consulted, as it was over Syria in 2013? However, even this fails to encompass the government’s wider obligations.

Article 2.4 of the UN Charter explicitly prohibits the use of force or the threat of force in international relations. Except, that is, for article 51: “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council.”

The fact that other states regularly violate this key principle of international law is not an excuse for the UK to evade its responsibilities.
Colin Archer
Vice-president, Movement for the Abolition of War

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