Aid groups to shun Paris conference on Yemen co-chaired by Saudis ‘if aims are political’

Almost 30 aid groups wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening, threatening to shun a conference on Yemen co-chaired by Saudi Arabia – unless France, as host, ensures its aims are purely humanitarian and apolitical. France earlier confirmed that the gathering of countries and international organizations would take place on June 27 in Paris to address the “urgent humanitarian situation.” A Saudi-led coalition backed by the West has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis since 2015 in a war to restore the internationally recognized government. “We are concerned about the credibility of a humanitarian event on Yemen co-hosted by Saudi Arabia, one of the parties to the conflict,” said the letter from 27 aid groups including Oxfam, Christian Aid and the Norwegian Refugee Council, Reuters reported. They will not support the meeting unless France ensures “all parties to the conflict participate… guided by the sole objective of alleviating the suffering of Yemenis.”