Norway suspends arms exports to United Arab Emirates because of Yemen war

0
2
File Photo Yemeni media
Norway said on Wednesday it had suspended arms and ammunition exports to the United Arab Emirates because of its involvement in the war in Yemen.

“The development of the conflict in Yemen in the autumn of 2017 was serious and there is great concern about the humanitarian situation,” the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition and has been in Yemen since March 2015. More than 8750 people have been killed, according to the World Health Organization.

Oslo said the suspension of arms exports, approved on December 19, was a precautionary measure, as nothing indicated that Norwegian weapons had been used in Yemen.

In 2016, Norway’s sales to the UAE rose by almost double from the previous year to 79 million kronor (about 8 million euros at the current price).

Norway insists it does not sell Saudi Arabia, either.