Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) called on the Government of Maldives to ‘immediately withdraw Maldivian support from the Saudi-led military coalition that is bombing Yemen, indiscriminately killing civilians, including many children.’

A statement released by the statement noted that Saudi led coalition was responsible for indiscriminate attacks on the Yemeni people, endangering the lives of children.

‘A UN report published on August 24 said coalition airstrikes killed or wounded nearly 700 children, and damaged or destroyed nearly 40 schools and hospitals in 2016 alone. The Maldives joined the coalition in 2015,’ the statement said.

Saudi Arabia was placed on the UN’s ‘list of shame’ last week.

“In joining this murderous coalition, President Yameen has made the Maldives complicit in the destruction of Yemen and the slaughter of its people… The Maldives must immediately leave this disgraceful coalition, which is responsible for the indiscriminate killing and maiming of fellow Muslims,” MDP spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said.

‘President Yameen, who has deliberately tied Maldivian foreign Policy to Riyadh, joined the Saudi-led military coalition unilaterally, without consulting parliament or the Maldivian public. It is unclear what benefits the President receives in exchange for pledging the Maldives’ support the Saudi coalition,’ the statement said.