NORWAY SUSPENDS ARMS EXPORTS TO UAE OVER WAR IN YEMEN

The conflict has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced three million, according to the UN

The Norwegian foreign minister side that we suspended exports of weapons and ammunition to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over concerns they could be used in the war in Yemen.

Also, there was no evidence Norwegian-made ammunition had been used in the devastating conflict, which is nearing three years, there was a high risk related to the UAE's military involvement there.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels that control the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north.

The coalition launched a massive aerial campaign against the rebels in March 2015, aimed at restoring the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Since then, the UN says more than 60,000 people have been killed or wounded, and another three million displaced.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided, as a precautionary measure, to suspend licences that have already been issued for the export of Category A defence-related products to the UAE," the ministry said in a statement.

"This means that no arms or ammunition can be exported to the UAE.

"The armed conflict in Yemen has escalated since autumn 2017, and there are major concerns about the humanitarian situation."

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

The country's total arms exports were 1.9 billion Norwegian crowns (roughly $235m), placing it 17th on the list of the world's biggest arms dealers.

The sale of arms to Saudi Arabia and other coalition members has also stirred debate in other European countries, including Britain. Last July, London’s High Court rejected a claim by campaigners that billions of dollars’ worth of arms sales to Saudi Arabia should be halted because they were being used in Yemen in violation of international humanitarian law.

The Department for International Trade said on Wednesday that the British government “operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world”.

“We rigorously examine every application, including those from the UAE, on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. We will not grant a license if to do so would be inconsistent with these criteria,” a spokesperson said.

The opposition Labour party, however, said it would continue to call for the suspension of all British arms sales to Saudi Arabia “until there is evidence of a complete halt to the use of British weapons against any civilian population”.

While weapons exports to the UAE have been allowed since 2010, Norway does not permit sale of arms or ammunition to Saudi Arabia.

The Norwegian parliament’s foreign relations committee is due to debate the country’s arms sales later this month.

UAE officials were not immediately available for comment.