US to stop mid-air refuelling of Saudi-led coalition aircraft attacking Yemen
- Move welcomed but military officials say it will have little impact on war as only a fifth of coalition aircraft need in-air refuelling by US
The United States is to stop refuelling aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition attacking Yemen, Saudi Arabia said on Saturday, a move that would end one of the most divisive aspects of US military help to the Saudis.
Riyadh said it had decided to request an end to US aerial refuelling for its operations in Yemen because it could do it itself.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington supported the Saudi decision.
The change came at a time of international outrage over the murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and after Democratic and Republican lawmakers threatened to take action in Congress next week over the refuelling operations.
Critics of the Saudi campaign have long questioned US involvement in the war, which has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced more than 2 million and led to widespread famine in Yemen since it began in 2015.