The US House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 37 on Feb. 13, calling for the withdrawal of US armed forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen. The resolution states that only Congress has the authority to declare war, and notes that Congress has not made any declaration of war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are the target of Saudi-led forces. US armed forces have supported Saudi Arabia through aerial targeting assistance, intelligence sharing, and mid-flight aerial refueling. The resolution gives President Donald Trump 30 days to withdraw forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen. Forces which are involved in operations directed at al-Qaeda in the region are exempt from the resolution. The resolution also does not restrict the sharing of intelligence. It also specifies that the resolution does not impact military operations undertaken in cooperation with Israel.
Within 90 days, the president is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the impacts the withdrawal has on the risks posed to the US, Saudi Arabia, and the regional humanitarian crisis. The president must also submit a report on the impacts the withdrawal will have on risks of terrorist attacks against the US and allies.
The resolution passed by a vote of 248-177. The vote was largely along party lines with no Democrat voting against the resolution and only 18 Republicans voting in support.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Yemen the "world's worst humanitarian crisis" in September. A pending Senate resolution to withdraw from Yemen has now been merged with the one approved by the House.
From Jurist, Feb. 14. Used with permission.
Photo via Jurist
