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UK 'takes very seriously' claims of cluster bomb use in Yemen UK-made cluster bombs used in Yemen, Saudi-led coalition says
(about 1 hour later)
The government says it takes reports that British-made cluster bombs have been used by Saudi forces in Yemen "extremely seriously". Cluster bombs made in the UK have been used in the conflict in Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition says.
Under British law it is illegal to supply the bombs, which release small bomblets over a wide area. In a statement, the coalition said there had been "limited use" of UK-manufactured munitions but Saudi Arabia would now stop using them.
According to The Guardian, government investigations back up claims reports cluster bombs have been deployed. Earlier the UK government said it was taking the issue "extremely seriously".
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is to make a statement on the issue to MPs later on Monday. Since 2010 it has been illegal under British law to supply the bombs, which put civilians at risk by releasing small bomblets over a wide area.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is to make a statement on the issue to MPs later.
The UK is supporting the Saudi-led coalition which is fighting the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen.The UK is supporting the Saudi-led coalition which is fighting the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen.
Analysis: By Frank Gardner, BBC Security CorrespondentAnalysis: By Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent
Reports that British-made cluster bombs have been used in the Yemen conflict - despite earlier denials by the Saudis - are certainly embarrassing for the UK government. But it is unclear if - in this particular case - the UK has acted in breach of international humanitarian law.Reports that British-made cluster bombs have been used in the Yemen conflict - despite earlier denials by the Saudis - are certainly embarrassing for the UK government. But it is unclear if - in this particular case - the UK has acted in breach of international humanitarian law.
The weapons in question, seen on the ground by Amnesty International and others, were sold to Saudi Arabia and the UAE before the Convention on (prohibition of) Cluster Munitions came into effect in 2010.The weapons in question, seen on the ground by Amnesty International and others, were sold to Saudi Arabia and the UAE before the Convention on (prohibition of) Cluster Munitions came into effect in 2010.
The Saudis say they haven't used the British-made cluster bombs in Yemen because they have all expired. But a Whitehall official has told the BBC that someone within the Saudi-led Coalition appears to have acted without authority and ordered a small amount of them to be used, a case of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing.The Saudis say they haven't used the British-made cluster bombs in Yemen because they have all expired. But a Whitehall official has told the BBC that someone within the Saudi-led Coalition appears to have acted without authority and ordered a small amount of them to be used, a case of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing.
The UK Government has commissioned its own report into the use of these weapons and, while that has not been made public the indications are that it supports the findings made by Amnesty and others.The UK Government has commissioned its own report into the use of these weapons and, while that has not been made public the indications are that it supports the findings made by Amnesty and others.
Amnesty International says it has documented the use of a cluster bomb, manufactured in the 1970s, in Yemen and has called on the UK to trace weapons made and sold before the ban. Campaigners have said there is evidence of cluster bombs sold to Saudi Arabia before 2010 being used in the conflict.
The Guardian said while analysis given to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon suggested UK-made cluster bombs had been used, Saudi Arabia had not yet provided "definitive confirmation". Amnesty International, which says it has documented the use in Yemen of a cluster bomb manufactured in the 1970s, has called on the UK to trace weapons made and sold before the ban.
Mr Fallon is due to make a statement about Yemen to MPs later. The Saudi state news agency reported a coalition spokesman saying cluster bombs were only used against "legitimate military targets".
He added: "It has become apparent that there was limited use by the Coalition of the UK-manufactured BL-755 cluster munition in Yemen.
"This munition was used against legitimate military targets to defend Saudi towns and villages against continuous attacks by Houthi militia, which resulted in Saudi civilian casualties."
Earlier The Guardian reported that analysis given to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon suggested UK-made cluster bombs had been used.
A Government spokesman said: "The government takes such allegations very seriously. We have analysed the case carefully using all available information, considering all possibilities, and raised the issue with the Saudi-led coalition."A Government spokesman said: "The government takes such allegations very seriously. We have analysed the case carefully using all available information, considering all possibilities, and raised the issue with the Saudi-led coalition."
Cluster bombs explainedCluster bombs explained
Source: United Nations Office for Disarmament AffairsSource: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs