US-Saudi Arabia Relations: Pompeo Doesn't Include Saudis On List Of Countries Recruiting Child Soldiers

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blocked Saudi Arabia’s inclusion on a list of countries known to recruit child soldiers, according to a report from Reuters.

Pompeo made the decision despite information allegedly provided by security advisors and experts’ findings regarding Saudi Arabia and its connection to the Yemen Civil War. The findings pointed toward the Saudi-backed coalition using underage soldiers in the conflict between the Houthi-led Supreme Political Council and the loyalist Cabinet of Yemen forces.

Experts came across this information as they were working on a soon-to-be-released list of countries that are known or suspected to actively recruit and employ child soldiers. Information gathered from news outlets and human rights groups pointed to the Saudi coalition employing child soldiers from Sudan to fight in the war.

These findings prompted internal debate between State Department experts and officials as to whether or not to include Saudi Arabia on the list. While experts wanted to include Saudi Arabia, some officials argued that it was not clear whether these were forces under the command of Sudan or were being directed by the Saudi coalition.

Pompeo made the final decision that drew immediate blowback from human rights activists. Instead, Sudan will be added back onto the list after being removed in 2018.

The Trump administration has previously faced scrutiny for siding with Saudi Arabia despite apparent human rights violations.

President Trump faced criticism in the aftermath of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, as the president appeared to divert attention from possible Saudi involvement. Criticism heightened when the CIA released findings that confirmed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had ordered the assassination of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.