Saudi Arabia Tries to Ease Concerns Over Civilian Deaths in Yemen<br />Royal Saudi Air Force said that I share these concerns and believe<br />that the Saudis have a responsibility to conduct their operations carefully — including engaging with the U.S. on increased training.<br />But senior American officials who have worked closely with the Saudis in recent years to help them improve targeting procedures said<br />that while the additional training was important, it would be effective only if Defense and State Department officials monitor the program closely.<br />Larry said that This training package sets an important precedent to focus on preventing civilian casualties,<br />The Saudis also agreed to observe stricter rules of engagement<br />and consider in their targeting procedures specific estimates about potential harm to civilians and civilian buildings — a practice not fully integrated in the Saudi-led air campaign, American officials said.<br />The kingdom has also promised to take steps to ease American concerns about an air campaign<br />that has killed more than 9,000 civilians in more than two years of conflict, according to a private letter that Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir wrote to Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson before President Trump’s visit to the kingdom last month, another tacit acknowledgment of the weaknesses of the Saudi armed forces.<br />By ERIC SCHMITTJUNE 14, 2017<br />WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia is engaging in a $750 million, multiyear training program through the American military<br />to help prevent the accidental killing of civilians in the Saudi-led air campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
