Yemen, Saudi and Middle East Watchers: Here is a thread about the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021, which was passed by veto override on January 1. Here are the sections that relate to the Yemen war. First thread is Section 1295. Buckle up... 1/16

SEC. 1295. STATEMENT OF POLICY AND REPORT RELATING TO THE CONFLICT IN YEMEN. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on United States policy in Yemen. 2/16

The report shall include (A) A detailed description of diplomatic actions taken by the United States Government to help ease human suffering in Yemen, 3/16

including (i) United States direct humanitarian assistance and United States donations to multilateral humanitarian assistance efforts, including to address the COVID–19 pandemic; 4/16

(ii) efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered in line with internationally recognized humanitarian principles, and the results of such efforts; 5/16

(iii) efforts to facilitate humanitarian and commercial cargo shipments into Yemen and minimize delays associated with such shipments, including access to ports for humanitarian and commercial cargo, and the results of such efforts; 6/16

(iv) efforts to work with parties to the conflict in Yemen to ensure protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the results of such efforts; (v) efforts to help the Government of Yemen to create a mechanism to ensure that salaries and pensions 7/16

are paid to civil servants as appropriate, and the results of such efforts; and (vi) efforts to work with the Government of Yemen and countries that are members of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen to address the currency crisis in Yemen and 8/16

the solvency of the Central Bank of Yemen, and the results of such efforts. (B) An assessment of plans, commitments, and pledges for reconstruction of Yemen made by countries that are members of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, 9/16

including an assessment of proposed coordination with the Government of Yemen and international organizations. (C) A description of civilian harm occurring in the context of the conflict in Yemen since November 2017, including mass casualty incidents and damage to, 10/16

or destruction of, civilian infrastructure and services. (D) An estimated total number of civilian casualties in the context of the conflict in Yemen since September 2014, disaggregated by year. (E) A detailed description of actions taken by the United States Government 11/16

to support the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen to reach a lasting political solution in Yemen. (F) A detailed assessment of whether and to what extent members of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen have used United States-origin defense articles and 12/16

defense services in Yemen in contravention of the laws of armed conflict when engaging in any military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. (G) A description of external and cross border attacks perpetrated by the Houthis. 13/16

(H) A detailed assessment of the Gov of Yemen’s willingness and capacity to effectively (i) provide public services to the people of Yemen; (ii) service the external debts of Yemen; &(iii) facilitate or ensure access to humanitarian assistance and key commodities in Yemen. 14/16

(I) A description of support for the Houthis by Iran and Iran-backed groups, including the provision of weapons and training. (J) A description of recruitment and use of child soldiers by parties to the conflict in Yemen. 15/16

Next Thread is: SEC. 1296. REPORT ON UNITED STATES MILITARY SUPPORT OF THE SAUDI-LED COALITION IN YEMEN. 16/16