Norway suspends arms, ammo exports to UAE over ‘war crimes’ in Yemen

OSLO - Norway has suspended exports of weapons and ammunition to the United Arab Emirates over concerns they could be used in the war in Yemen, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Norway said Wednesday it has suspended exports of munitions and arms to the United Arab Emirates where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Shiite rebels for the past three years.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition formed in 2015 to fight the Iran-aligned Houthi group that controls most of northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa, in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 million.



While there is currently no evidence that Norwegian-made ammunition has been used in Yemen, there was a rising risk related to the UAE's military involvement there, the ministry said.

Existing export permits had been temporarily revoked as a "precautionary line," based on an assessment of the situation in Yemen, and no new licenses would be issued under the current circumstances, Norway said.

In 2016, Norwegian exports of weapons and ammunition to the UAE rose to 79 million Norwegian crowns ($9.7 million) from 41 million in 2015, Statistics Norway data showed.

The UAE has been one of the most instrumental forces in the Saudi war against Yemen providing both air and ground support for the coalition which has been accused of war crimes amid targeting of civilians in schools, local markets, wedding parties and even hospitals.



The Emirati government offered no immediate comment on Norway's decision.

Earlier this month, the Houthis killed Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, after he broke off his alliance with the rebels and appeared ready to switch sides.

Yemen's war has pushed millions to the brink of famine.

The United Nations, Amnesty International and other human rights organisations accused the UAE and Saudi Arabia of wars against humanity over their actions in Yemen.