As Yemen turns into the biggest humanitarian crisis on the planet in 100 years and millions face starvation, there may be a spark of hope that the US/ Saudi war on the country may come to an end.

In mid-November Secretary of State Pompeo called to end US mid-air refueling of Saudi fighter jets on their bombing missions but failed to call an end to all US military sales and involvement. On Nov. 1, Pentagon officials, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, declared that the warring parties in Yemen need to come to the negotiating table and end the conflict within 30 days.

Kevin Martin, president of national Peace Action, said the people of Yemen need peace right now and even 30 days to halt fighting is far too long.

“I think the Trump administration is trying to get out ahead of a stampede. Congress, public opinion and the media have all turned very much against this war,” Martin told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC.

He said international pressure is also mounting on the Saudis, which could force them to heed US demands to end the war in Yemen.

“Unfortunately it’s taken the school bus bombing tragedy of a few months ago, and then the horrible murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It shouldn’t have taken anything like that, but it does seem to have provoked more people in Congress to speak out against this war,” said Martin.

As we go to press, both houses of Congress are making serious efforts to call on the War Powers Act to debate and end the war in Yemen. In the Senate, the Sanders/Lee bill, S.J. Res. 54, will likely pass and activate Congress’s war powers to pull out of Yemen. House leader Nancy Pelosi supports reintroducing a similar bill in the House of Representatives. When you read this, we hope both these efforts have passed, forcing the Saudis to agree to a ceasefire and allowing the UN and aid agencies to get desperately needed famine relief and health care to the Yemeni people.

The phone calls, emails, petitions, demonstrations and lobbying visits in which Peace Action of Wisconsin has participated have put pressure on Congress to end the US involvement in this tragic conflict. We can’t stop our calls and visits until this war ends. Then we need to insist on humanitarian aid to the victims of this war.

What you can do

Call your Senators and Representative to end all military and political support for the war in Yemen and for the Saudi Regime. Ask them to take leadership to end this humanitarian disaster and save millions of lives.

D.C. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

If you're in Wisconin: Your Wisconsin State Congressmen and Women in the Senate and House

If you're not in Wisconsin: Govtrack.us