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UK-made cluster bombs used in Yemen, Saudi-led coalition says UK-made cluster bombs used in Yemen, Michael Fallon confirms
(about 1 hour later)
Cluster bombs made in the UK have been used in the conflict in Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition says. Cluster bombs made in the UK have been used in the conflict in Yemen, the government has confirmed.
In a statement, the coalition said there had been "limited use" of UK-manufactured munitions but Saudi Arabia would now stop using them. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Saudi Arabia had confirmed munitions bought from the UK in the 1980s had been dropped.
Earlier the UK government said it was taking the issue "extremely seriously".
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.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. Labour said it was "deeply worrying" cluster bomb use had been confirmed.
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 Correspondent In a statement to MPs, Mr Fallon said the UK had not supplied any cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia since 1989.
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. But he added that Saudi investigations had concluded that some UK-made cluster bombs had been dropped.
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 BL-755 bombs will no longer be used by the coalition, he added.
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. Cluster bombs explained
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. Source: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Campaigners have said there is evidence of cluster bombs sold to Saudi Arabia before 2010 being used in the conflict.
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.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.
The Saudi state news agency reported a coalition spokesman saying cluster bombs were only used against "legitimate military targets". Earlier 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.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.""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."
Cluster bombs explained
Source: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs