The European Parliament demanded Thursday an embargo on arms supplies to Saudi Arabia, criticizing its airstrikes in Yemen and the maritime blockade imposed on the country, which made “thousands of deaths”.

In a resolution adopted by a large majority at a plenary session in Brussels, MEPs call on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, to “launch an initiative to impose an arms embargo EU against Saudi Arabia. “

They condemn “the coalition airstrikes led by Saudi and the naval blockade it has imposed in Yemen, which have led to thousands of deaths, and yet further destabilized” the country. In a statement, the humanitarian organization Action against Hunger was immediately welcomed that the EU “finally spoke again on this crisis, one of the most serious in the world today.”

While the text is not binding but for Mike Penrose, CEO of Action against Hunger France, “this resolution is a signal to all Member States inviting them to break the silence and to no longer participate in disaster humanitarian underway in Yemen. “

Riyadh led since March 2015 Arab-Sunni coalition in Yemen against Houthi Shiite rebels, accused of being supported by Iran. These, from their stronghold of Saada (north), took control of many areas including the capital Sanaa. The government recognized by the international community based in Aden (south), although its leaders often stay in Riyadh for security reasons. The conflict in Yemen has more than 6,100 dead, nearly half civilians, and about 30,000 injured, according to the UN.

The United States is the leading arms supplier to Saudi Arabia, with sales reaching $ 90 billion between 2010 and 2014 by the Congress, but the main countries of the EU have also recently delivered bombs, equipment or signed arms contracts for billions of euros. According to Avaaz NGOs, including an online petition collected 750,000 signatures, the United Kingdom has authorized in 2015 the sale of fighter jets and unmanned Paveway bombs. France signed in October 2015 contracts with Saudi Arabia in the maritime and military sectors whose value is estimated at more than ten billion euros, says Avaaz.

The UN expressed concern early January of the use of cluster munitions in Yemen by the Arab coalition led by Riyadh, saying they had received “disturbing reports” about their use in attacks against residential areas and buildings civilians in Sanaa on 6 January.

Its secretary-general Ban Ki-moon warned Riyadh, noting that it “could constitute a war crime.”