Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(61,595 posts)
Tue Jun 18, 2019, 12:30 PM Jun 2019

Pompeo blocks inclusion of Saudis on U.S. child soldiers list - sources

Source: Reuters

World News June 18, 2019 / 12:09 PM / Updated 20 minutes ago

Exclusive: Pompeo blocks inclusion of Saudis on U.S. child soldiers list - sources

Jonathan Landay, Matt Spetalnick
7 Min Read

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blocked the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on a U.S. list of countries that recruit child soldiers, dismissing his experts’ findings that a Saudi-led coalition has been using under-age fighters in Yemen’s civil war, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The decision, which came after a fierce internal debate, could prompt new accusations by human rights advocates and some lawmakers that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is prioritizing security and economic interests in relations with oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally and arms customer.

Pompeo’s move comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, the Saudis’ bitter regional rival.

State Department experts recommended adding Saudi Arabia to the soon-to-be released list based in part on news reports and human rights groups’ assessments that the desert kingdom has hired child fighters from Sudan to fight for the U.S.-backed coalition in Yemen, the four sources said.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-childsoldiers-exclusive/exclusive-pompeo-blocks-inclusion-of-saudis-on-u-s-child-soldiers-list-sources-idUSKCN1TJ25H
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pompeo blocks inclusion of Saudis on U.S. child soldiers list - sources (Original Post) Eugene Jun 2019 OP
Pompeo is the trump in the oval office. damn riversedge Jun 2019 #1
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Middle East»Pompeo blocks inclusion o...