Yousaf condemns UK attack on Yemen, calls parliament for discussion
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Following the US-UK attack on Yemen, Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf recalls parliament to discuss the UK's misstep.
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Scotland's first minister and Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Humza Yousaf arrives at St Giles' Cathedral on July 5, 2023 (AP)
Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf summoned parliament to discuss the UK's attack on Yemen, saying it was "pretty frustrating" that such a detrimental move was not brushed by him before being executed.
Yousaf reaffirmed the Scottish National Party's alignment with the UNSC resolution demanding the cessation of Yemen's operations in the Red Sea but coined the UK's military intervention in the Middle East "a wrong call."
“The correct and appropriate thing to have done would have been to have recalled parliament to have given serious detail about any proposed military action because there are significant questions," Yousaf said.
Moreover, Yousaf slammed the UK's indiscretion concerning the genocide in Gaza, saying that although the Kingdom claims it is objective, its actions indicate otherwise, and its latest move on Yemen would trigger a regional escalation in the Middle East.
Lastly, Yousaf said, “My concern also is that we see thousands of children are dying in Gaza, and I just wish the UK government would care as much about those children that are dying.”
The UK does not have a good record of military intervention in the Middle East. It is therefore incumbent that Westminster is recalled, MPs briefed and allowed to debate and scrutinise any decision to pursue military action that the UK Government is proposing. https://t.co/JNJBbNsQji
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) January 11, 2024
Yousaf shames the UK
Last week, Yousaf deemed the Israeli genocide in Gaza "tantamount to ethnic cleansing" in an earlier interview.
Addressing the United Kingdom, Yousaf said the government must clarify to "Israel" that its conduct in Gaza has surpassed what is considered a "legitimate response".
He also called the UK's stubborn refusal to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza "shameful", as he tried to urge for the employment of its influential power to halt all Israeli attacks and hold Israeli officials, including PM Benjamin Netanyahu, accountable for the killing of nearly 24,000 Palestinians so far.
Yousaf also previously condemned the UK government for choosing to abstain in the UN Security Council resolution led by the UAE. The resolution, ultimately vetoed by the US, had sought a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Corbyn condemns the attack on Yemen
Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, took to social media to voice his condemnation of the attack. The widespread expression of concern highlights the apprehension about a potential escalation leading to a full-blown war in West Asia.
Corbyn said in a post on X that the military attack on Yemen is "a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering," adding that the lack of parliamentary consultation is decried as utterly "disgraceful".
Military action in Yemen by the UK & US government is a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 12, 2024
It is utterly disgraceful that Parliament has not even been consulted.
When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?
