Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi
U.S. senators voted Thursday to pass a resolution condemning the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and holding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the heinous act.
The resolution was introduced by foreign relations committee chairman Bob Corker. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
It is the second resolution to pass the chamber Thursday following an earlier approval to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
That resolution is largely seen as a rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump who is seeking to minimize fallout from Khashoggi's killing on the U.S.-Saudi relationship, insisting bin Salman had no role in the murder.
Corker's resolution offers a reproach to the stance taken by Trump who, despite reports that American intelligence concluded the crown prince's role in the killing, has maintained warm relations with the kingdom and its de-facto leader.
The United States is seeking reimbursements from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the Pentagon failed to charge them for fuel and refueling services, the Pentagon said Thursday.The oversight was reported by The Atlantic last week, and now the U.S. is now requesting $331 million from the two countries.U.S. Central Command reviewed its record and is seeking $37 million for fuel and $294 million for mid-air refueling services conducted by American forces.Lebanon's Hariri: Saudi will help economically once govt formed"Our partners have been individually notified about our intent to seek reimbursement, and have been given estimates as to how much they owe," Pentagon spokeswoman Rebecca Rebarich said in a statement.Yemen has been wracked by violence since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country and the crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition, with support of the U.S., launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.The violence has devastated Yemen’s infrastructure, including its health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe the situation as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.Tens of thousands of people, including civilians, are believed to have been killed and the UN estimates 14 million Yemenis are at risk of famine.On Thursday, a resolution seeking to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen passed in the Senate.Saudi ambassador to Yemen says UN agreement requires Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah
US seeks compensation from Saudi for refueling services
Unlike the Yemen resolution, Corker's bill did not face stiff resistance from Senate leadership which sought to stave off prospects of a clash with the White House over the legislative response to Khashoggi's murder.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any role in Khashoggi's disappearance when he went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 2.
After producing various contradictory explanations, Riyadh acknowledged he was killed inside the diplomatic building, blaming the act on a botched rendition operation.
That explanation has been met with major skepticism from many on Capitol Hill who insist that U.S. intelligence, that they have been privy to, indicates a strong role for bin Salman.