Saudi Arabia appears to be using U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in its war in Yemen
Source: Washington Post
Saudi Arabia appears to be using U.S.-supplied white phosphorous munitions in its war in Yemen, based on images and videos posted to social media, raising concerns among human rights groups that the highly incendiary material could be used against civilians.
Under U.S. regulations, white phosphorous sold to other countries is to be used only for signaling to other troops and creating smoke screens. When the munition explodes, it releases white phosphorous that automatically ignites in the air and creates a thick white smoke. When used against soldiers or civilians, it can maim and kill by burning to the bone.
It is unclear exactly how the Saudis are using the munitions, but the government has already received widespread condemnation for its indiscriminate bombing in civilian areas since its campaign against rebel forces in Yemen began in 2015.
U.S. officials confirmed that the American government has supplied the Saudis white phosphorous in the past but declined to say how much had been transferred or when. After reviewing a social media image taken from the battlefield that showed a white phosphorous mortar shell, a U.S. official said it appeared to be American in origin but could not trace it to a particular sale because some of the markings were obscured.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/09/19/saudi-arabia-appears-to-be-using-u-s-supplied-white-phosphorus-in-its-war-in-yemen/?tid=sm_fb
This is nasty stuff that should be banned in most cases.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Rest assured there will be more to come on this story. Wait till the photos hit the web.
cpwm17
(3,829 posts)Tempest
(14,591 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,451 posts)FairWinds
(1,717 posts)the militaristic hair-splitters. May opprobrium fall upon them.
It was also used by the US in Fallujah - another war crime by the USAeans.
Here is a US plane committing a blatant war crime during the Vietnam War.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)NWCorona
(8,541 posts)burrowowl
(17,632 posts)Tempest
(14,591 posts)Pentagon Reverses Position and Admits U.S. Troops Used White Phosphorus Against Iraqis in Fallujah
http://www.democracynow.org/2005/11/17/pentagon_reverses_position_and_admits_u
forest444
(5,902 posts)Iggo
(47,535 posts)So if we tell them only to use it for nice things then it's not a war crime, right?
hack89
(39,171 posts)white phosphorus is not banned for military use. And the OP makes no mention of war crimes.
Your logic could be applied to any military weapon if it use improperly.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)hack89
(39,171 posts)it is not banned out right by international law - you just can't use it on people. It is how the military creates smoke screens.