AAR0007

Written evidence submitted by the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalists

British-linked weapons used by ground forces in Yemen

Although most of the British arms exports used in Yemen are related to the air force, there are still question marks on many ground weapons.

First: Confirmed British products

1-Aardvark JSFU mine-clearance vehicle

• We have documented the use of these vehicles in combat fighting by advanced forces, not for civilian purposes.
• When we contacted the British government, we received a response that the export of minesweepers did not require a license, but when asked if the United Kingdom knows about granting the vehicles to a third party? Is this legal? We have not received any response.
• Also the company welcomed at first, then when we sent the information and detailed questions stopped responding.

The documented cases: (photos and videos attached).[1]

1. In November 2016, KSA granted an Aardvark JSFU mine-clearance vehicle the Salafist "Hassm Battalions" group in Taiz.

We got direct testimonies from sources in Taiz.

Pictures posted in local internet websites showed Sheikh Adnan Ruzeiq, the leader of this group, inside the vehicle, which was clearly marked with Saudi army signs and number.

The vehicle later appeared in July 2017 at the Battle of al-Tashrifat military camp, in which the Hasm Brigades fought against the Houthis.

This Bridges Has faced human rights criticism more than once, most notably in March 2017 because of holding a public execution of one of its own members.

A video was later released of Sheikh Zureiq holding a customary reconciliation session.

Also accused by distortion of the bodies of their enemies in September and November 2016.

Also Sheikh Adnan appeared in another video talking about the fighting against the Houthis is for the Sunni Islamic faith because they are Shi'ites who insulted the wife of the Prophet Muhammad.

AP published a report from AP in August 2018, saying one of Adnan's assistants is a well-known figure of al-Qaeda.

2. On November 13, 2015, a force from the pro-Hadi Army and the Popular Resistance groups received this vehicle, among other armored vehicles it had received from the coalition, to launch a strong ground attack against the Huthis in the day after November 14. Also the Saudi army's mark and numbers appearing on it.

3. A photo of another vehicle of the same type dating back to December 2017 in Shabwa  published on twitter Brigadier Muhammad al-Faqih, the deputy commander of the engineering department of the Yemeni Army loyal to Hadi, visited the front and saw the efforts of his men to remove the mines and visited the site of this armored vehicle and took a picture.

4- The vehicle appeared also in the possession of Yemenis in other provinces, including the battle for control of Al-Mukha port, west of Yemen, in January 2017.

This video was published by the Emirati channel Skynews-Arabia.

Second: British weapons without certain importer nor date of entry

2- G3 Assault rifle

This rifle, designed by the German Heckler & Koch, had a British version, characterized by the carrying of the letters “EN” with its serial number, a weapons expert told us.

We cannot confirm the date of export of these guns and their receiver, but some of them are for sale as a vrand new in the Yemeni market, find attached pictures of serial numbers. It can be tracked by the company.

Third: Evidence of possible British components

3- BAE Caiman MRAB

The British company BAE systems exports this vehicle with a license from its US subsidiary.

Its only used by  the southern secessionist forces supported by the UAE including the Security belt in Aden,  Hadrami and Shabwanian Elite Forces.

These forces raised the South Yemen flag on this vehicle in some cases, and even used against forces loyal to the internationally recognised president Hady.

Several international and UN reports have accused these forces of involvement in serious human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and torture.

BAE Caimans were also used by the Southern Giants' forces during the fighting inside the port of Hodeidah

In September 2014, the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation agency approved a $2.5 billion deal with the UAE to for over 4,500 MRAPs, including 1,150 Caiman vehicles. The contractor was BAE Systems in Texas, USA.

The question is: Are their a components manufactured within Britain? We can not confirm this, but the company can be held accountable.

4- RG-31 vehicles, 120 mm Mobile Mortar System version, AGRAB

It was spotted many times in the battles used by the UAE forces.

It was produced by BAE Systems from its subsidiary in South Africa, but in 2014 BAE announcing selling this company to Rheinmetall Denel, and later UAE said it will be manufactured locally with Rheinmetall components.

Is BAE still involved in the new production components?

5- Products of FN Hersal

The Belgian giant has subsidiaries in various countries including the United States, and the United Kingdom, and obtain export licenses from different countries to the same products, so we cannot confirm the source except by tracking the serial number.

FN Minimi light machine guns

We have monitored its use in particular with al-Qaeda in the city of Taiz, as well as Abu-Abbas's brigades that listed on USA terrorist organizations, as well as found in arms markets. Attachments have serial numbers from our own sources in Taiz and also from online arms groups.

M2 50 Cal Brownig heavy machine gun

Although it was before the war, which is difficult to ascertain but we found documented cases for entry after, for example it was granted by the coalition to the southern resistance groups, Aden June 2015. The UAE is the main source of weapons to southern resistance forces in Aden and according to UN database UAE received 180 "heavy machine guns" from UK at 2011, and this is the only British 50 mm calibre gun.

Cartridge boxes

We found models of bullets used for these FN guns, clearly carry lot numbers, that needs to be tracked.

Mohamed Aboelgheit

21 January 2019