Saudi Arabia and the UAE are part of an Arab coalition that has been battling the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen since 2015 in a conflict seen as an alternate war between Riyadh and Tehran. Currently, Italy has halted the sale of thousands of missiles to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Friday, pointing Rome’s commitment to restore peace in war-ravaged Yemen and protecting human rights.
The United Nations describes Yemen as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 80% of its people in need of aid. FM Di Maio said, “This is an act that we considered necessary, a clear message of peace coming from our country. For us, the respect of human rights is an unbreakable commitment". The Italian Network for Peace and Disarmament said Italy's decision would block the sale of around 12,700 missiles to Saudi Arabia.
The disarmament group said in a statement, the blocked sales were part of a total allotment of 20,000 missiles worth more than 400 million euros ($485 million) agreed in 2016 under a centre-left government led by Matteo Renzi. Italian Senator and former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who triggered a government collapse in Rome this week by pulling his Italia Viva party from the coalition, is under fire for recently visiting Saudi Arabia, where he told the crown prince he saw that nation as the site of a “New Renaissance”. The new U.S. administration of President Joe Biden has paused some pending arms sales that could potentially affect Washington’s Middle Eastern allies.
Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam congratulates Brahmos Missile Regiment
