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Former US Diplomat Blasts White House for Allowing Saudi War Crimes in Yemen

© AP Photo / Osamah AbdulrhmanPeople inspect the aftermath of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016
People inspect the aftermath of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 - Sputnik International
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J. Michael Springmann, a former US diplomat to Saudi Arabia, said that despite slamming Saudi-led coalition’s massive airstrike on funeral procession in Yemen on Saturday, Washington will never take concrete steps to punish its main ally in the Middle East.

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In the wake of Saturday attack on the Yemeni capital Sanaa that left 213 people killed and 534 other wounded, Washington has announced of an “immediate” review the US support for Riyadh.

However, the US’ critique will never translate into political steps against the House of Saud, Springmann said as cited by Press TV.

“I frankly have to say that talk is cheap, it is easy to say something and it is very hard to do,” he said, adding that Washington has been sticking to double standard policy toward Riyadh.

In the last seven years, the US has sold to Saudis military equipment such as fighter jets, helicopters and naval missiles costing some $115 billion, he said, referencing to Congressional Research Service. The latest sale occurred in August, when 130 Abrams tanks and 20 armored recovery were delivered from America to the Gulf Kingdom.

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“It is not a blank check. It is very simple to turn the check in half and feed it into a shredder,” Springmann continued.

The portion of arms deals have been nailed as Saudis conducted its deadly military operation in Yemen, considered one of the poorest countries in the world.

“Stop giving the Saudis this money, stop giving the Saudis diplomatic cover,” Springmann said, adding that it "is important to watch” Washington’s actions rather to listen to politicians’ statements.

The year-and-half-long conflict in Yemen resulted in a profound humanitarian crisis and deaths of 10,000 civilians, according to UN data.

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