President Trump has called on Saudi Arabia to end its blockade of Yemen in order to allow much-needed food, water, medicine and humanitarian aid to reach the besieged country. Trump’s call comes despite the fact that the United States continues to provide massive military backing for the Saudi-led coalition bombing campaign in Yemen, including weapons and critical midair refueling for coalition warplanes. Earlier this year, President Trump brokered a $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, Houthi rebels reportedly opened fire on a group of protesting women who were demanding the return of the body of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The longtime leader was killed by Houthi rebels earlier this week, after he switched sides in the ongoing war and threw his support to the Saudi-led coalition. Activists say women were wounded in the crackdown, and at least 50 were arrested.