Boris Johnson has not refused to deploy troops to Yemen as part of a future United Nations mission, but stressed that the situation in the war-torn country was “well different ”.
The comments came when Tobias Ellwood – the Conservative chairman of a foreign affairs committee – asked the prime minister if Britain would be willing to provide troops for the UN’s international stability force in the region.
“Saudi Arabia has called for a ceasefire, a political solution. We are the custodian of the UN Security Councils, ”said Mr Ellwood.
Questioning Mr Johnson, the former defense minister asked: “Would he be willing to hand over troops if asked for the DA’s founding force?”
The Prime Minister told MPs at the Commons liaison committee that there was “no specific request or recommendation” for participation in the UK “but it is certainly something we would be willing to look at if the conditions were right”.
However, he continued: “I need to stress that before everyone on the committee raises their ears that Yemen, the conditions must be very different from what they are now. to get on with boots on the ground “.
Mr Johnson said the UK government had supported the DA-led approach led by a special ambassador to Yemen, Martin Griffiths.
“It is encouraging that there is now a ceasefire between Saudi and Houthis forces,” the prime minister said.
“We must hope that this will lead to significant political progress. I think it didn’t make sense just to say that the Houthis couldn’t be negotiated or talked to in any way. I think we have an opportunity now to go further. “
Earlier this week Lord David Richards – the former head of the defense – announced Times Radio that there was some pressure to send troops into the area.
“I understand from my connections that there is talk of a stability force that must enter Yemen,” he said. “If the Americans feed into that, it would It is very difficult for the United Kingdom to say no, we are not going to do that. “
The UK government has also been widely criticized for cutting its aid budget to Yemen despite famine warnings as ministers try to reduce foreign aid from 0.7 of income. national total to 0.5 – around £ 4 billion.
“History will not judge this country kindly if the government chooses to step away from the people of Yemen and thus destroy the UK’s global reputation as a country that steps up to those in need. to help, “he said.