Former International Development Secretary: Yemen Aid Cuts Are A 'Terrible Mistake'

The Government confirmed this week it will more-than-halve its financial aid to Yemen.

Speaking to BFBS Sitrep, former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said he considers the move a "terrible mistake".

The United Nations have warned cuts in aid are a "death sentence" for hundreds of thousands of children and their families in the war-torn country, who are at risk of starvation.

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the domestic economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic means aid budgets need to be cut.

Mr Mitchell said: "In my view, the British establishment and the British government made a terrible mistake because I think they think that our security and our economic benefits are tied up in being alongside Saudi Arabia and being part of the Saudi coalition" said Mr Mitchell.

He added the cut in aid is "already effecting" the standing of Britain in the world as "friends and neighbours cannot understand what we are doing".

"The new Biden administration made it very clear that they are surprised at this step" said Mr Mitchell.

“It comes when Britain is chairing the G7 group of nations [in June] – so it’s not a very welcome sign of what ‘Global Britain’ means.

“The exercise of soft power is incredibly important because it’s highly effective, Britain is a world leading exponent of that."

The former International Development Secretary also warned of the potential security repercussions of the decision.

"The Yemeni people know, as I discovered on my visit, from where these bombs come and they know that America and Britain are heavily involved."

He explained it could result in the radicalisation of "tens of thousands of young Yemeni men" who understand "where the death and destruction is coming [from]".

In terms of economic and arms sales, Mr Mitchell said its "a war which the Saudis cannot win".

"It’s draining their economy and, I think, the pressure for an arms embargo is growing all the time."

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Cover image: A library picture of a building destroyed in an airstrike in Yemen in 2020 (Picture: PA).