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6,119 civilians were harmed by explosive weapons in Yemen in 2015 – we must listen to the European Parliament’s call to ban arms sales to the Saudis

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Yemen
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AOAV
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Action on Armed Violence welcomes the European Parliament’s call to ban arms sales to the belligerents in Yemen’s conflict. The resolution called for an EU-wide arms embargo against the country, until alleged breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen have been investigated.

In 2015, AOAV recorded more civilian deaths and injuries from explosive weapons in Yemen than in any other country around the world.

During that period, using English-language media reports, AOAV recorded 6,119 civilian deaths and injuries from explosive weapons in Yemen. In total, there were 7,514 deaths and injuries from explosive weapons.

Civilians, therefore, made up 81% of all deaths and injuries in Yemen from explosive weapons in this time, a figure that jumps to 93% when these weapons were used in populated areas.

In areas reported as populated there were 5,256 civilian deaths and injuries, out of 5,653 total (93%).

There were 863 civilian deaths and injuries in areas not reported as populated, out of 1,861 total (46%).

In January, 2016, there were a reported 303 civilians killed or injured in Yemen, out of a total 403 fatalities and injuries.

In March 2015, a complex and long-running crisis in Yemen rapidly escalated into all-out conflict, with extensive fighting on the ground, and aerial bombing carried out by a coalition of state actors.