Canadian-made Light Armoured Vehicle burns in Yemen in 2019
Over the past decade, Canada has been exporting billions of dollars worth of military equipment to countries that have been at war with Yemen. In particular, Saudi Arabia has consistently been the largest non-US export destination for Canadian military equipment since 2012.
Western-backed military intervention against Yemen has contributed to what UNICEF has described as the “world’s largest humanitarian crises.” The UN estimate of per capita GDP for 2023 ranked Yemen as the poorest country in the world.
On the night of January 11-12, 2024, US and UK forces carried out airstrikes on 60 targets in Yemen, with the blessing of the Canadian government. The US, UK and Israel have followed up with many more airstrikes since, killing civilians and damaging civil infrastructure.
The Canadian government had previously said it would commit “a handful of personnel to the international task force” led by the United States and titled “Operation Prosperity Guardian,” an operation intended to counter a Yemeni naval blockade that was initiated in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
-Ed. (2025)
Background/Resources
Last month, Trudeau's government announced $62.5M in "life-saving" assistance to Yemen—which is 0.004% of the life-destroying weapons they’re sending the Saudis.
— The Breach (@TheBreachMedia) April 21, 2022
Canada, @Martin_Lukacs says, shows up at a burning house like proud firefighters, even while they're the arsonists. pic.twitter.com/MBjfA9EV9N
Reverse chronology
US air strikes kill 80, injure 150 in Yemen, by Al Jazeera (Apr.18, 2025)
Civilian Casualties Pass 140 in Daily US Strikes, by Yemen Data Project (Apr.14, 2025)
Fresh US strikes extend air campaign targeting Yemen’s Houthis, by Al Jazeera (Apr.1, 2025)
US fires on Sanaa as campaign against Yemen’s Houthis continues, by Al Jazeera (Mar.24, 2025)
Mapping US attacks on Yemen, by Al Jazeera (Mar.16, 2025)
Trump orders attacks against Houthis in Yemen, by ABC News (Mar.15, 2025)
Israel launches air raids on power station, ports in Yemen, by Al Jazeera (Jan.10, 2025)
UN health chief at Yemen airport during Israeli strikes, by BBC (Dec.26, 2024)
Houthis say at least nine killed in Israeli air strikes on Yemen, by Al Jazeera (Dec.19, 2024)
Yemen’s Houthis clash with US Navy ships in the Gulf of Aden, from Al Jazeera (Dec. 11, 2024)
US says B-2 bombers attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, from Al Jazeera (Oct.17, 2024)
US air strikes target Houthis in several cities in Yemen, by Al Jazeera (Oct.4, 2024)
Canada’s weapons exports in 2023, by Kelsey Gallagher / Project Ploughshares (Sep.23, 2024)
US to lift ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, by Reuters (Aug.9, 2024)
Houthis say at least 16 killed in UK and US strikes in Yemen (May 31, 2024)
Seized weapons meant for Houthis transferred by US to Ukraine (Apr.9, 2024)
Houthis report 3 new US, UK airstrikes against Yemen (Feb.11, 2024)
US Navy fighter jets strike Houthi missile launchers in Yemen, officials say (Jan.19, 2024)
US military launches another barrage of missiles against Houthi sites in Yemen (Jan.18, 2024)
Yemen: Escalation spells disaster for civilians still reeling from crisis say INGOs (Jan.17, 2024)
US-UK airstrikes force aid agencies to suspend operations in Yemen (Jan.16, 2024)
U.S. strikes Houthi targets in Yemen a 3rd time to thwart Red Sea attacks (Jan.16, 2024)
US carries out new airstrike against Houthis in Yemen (Jan.16, 2024)
UK’s alleged use of Cyprus bases to arm Israel and hit Yemen draw protests (Jan.15, 2024)
Activists protest at British base in Cyprus used in Yemen strikes (Jan.14, 2024)
Much of Houthis’ Offensive Ability Remains Intact After U.S.-Led Airstrikes (Jan.13, 2024)
US launches another retaliatory airstrike against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen (Jan.12, 2024)
US Launches New Strike in Yemen, Against Houthi Radar Facility (Jan.12, 2024)
Navy ships and aircraft played key role in strikes against Houthis in Yemen (Jan.12, 2024)
US, British strike at least 60 targets, 28 locations in Yemen (Jan.12, 2024)
BREAKING: @POTUS Joe Biden names @JustinTrudeau’s Government of Canada as providing “support” for US/UK bombing of Yemen. pic.twitter.com/DPlJ6RTxGA
— Labour Against the Arms Trade (@LAATCanada) January 12, 2024
Navy destroyer, commercial ships, attacked by drones and missiles near Yemen (2023)
Secret US troops in Yemen add twist to Houthi attack on Israel (2023)
US sends 1.1 million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition to Ukraine (2023)
Canada’s arms exports in 2022 (2023)
Saudi-UAE Rift Threatens US Effort to End Yemen War (2023)
Canada funneled arms to Saudis during Yemen war via opaque U.S. program (2023)
Majority Of Canada’s Non-U.S. Military Exports Go To Anti-Democratic Regimes (2023)
The Breach barred from weapons show for ‘critical anti-war journalism’ (2023)
Document reveals Canada’s undisclosed motives for arming Saudi Arabia (2023)
The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War on Yemen (2022)
As US focuses on Ukraine, Yemen starves, by The Intercept (2022)
Infographic: Yemen’s war explained in maps and charts (2022)
Arms exports to United Arab Emirates may be fuelling Yemen war, records show (2022)
The United Arab Emirates’ Three Strategic Interests in Yemen (2022)
Saudi Arabia is escalating its attacks on Yemen, and Canada is helping them do it (2022)
Biden’s broken promise on Yemen, by Brookings (2021)
Canada violating int’l law by selling arms to Saudis: Report (2021)
Yemen and Canada’s $2.8-billion moral deficit (2021)
Canada is violating international law by selling arms to Saudi Arabia (2021)
New report details how Canadian made weapons are allegedly fuelling Yemen war (2021)
US ending aid to Saudi-led forces in Yemen, but questions persist, by Al Jazeera (2021)
Canada has a war crimes problem (2020)
Saudi-led coalition hits Houthi-held areas in renewed air raids, from Al Jazeera (2020)
Dealing death: Canada resumes arms sales to Saudi Arabia (2020)
Footage of Canadian LAVs in Yemen raises new questions about Saudi arms deal (2019)
Trump uses veto to unblock $8bn weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, by BBC (2019)
What is the link between Irving Oil, Saudi arms and the war in Yemen? (2019)
Canada still shipping LAVs to Saudi Arabia despite human rights concerns (2019)
Trump vetoes measure to end US involvement in Yemen war, by the Associated Press (2019)
Death from Above: Every Saudi coalition air raid on Yemen, by Al Jazeera (2019)
Comparing National Positions on Military Exports to Saudi Arabia (2018)
Trump’s $110 billion Saudi arms deal has only earned $14.5 billion so fa, by CNN (2018)
Bomb that killed 40 children in Yemen was supplied by the U, by CNN (2018)
Canada’s arms deal with Saudi Arabia includes ‘heavy assault’ vehicles (2018)
Questions raised over $110bn arms deal to Saudi Arabia, by Al Jazeera (2018)
Eight-year-old American girl ‘killed in Yemen raid approved by Trump’, by The Guardian (2017)
Canadian complicity and the Saudi-led war on Yemen (2016)
Canada must call for a ceasefire in Yemen (2015)
Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015)
Obama, the Ground-Breaking President?, by Anthony Gregory (2011)
Excerpts from yearly Government of Canada reports on military exports
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination by value, receiving approximately $904.6 million in Canadian military exports (accounting for approximately 42.2% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports) (compared to $ 1.151 billion or 54% in 2022).”
2023 Exports of military goods and technology
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination, receiving approximately $1.151 billion in Canadian military exports (accounting for approximately 54% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
2022 Exports of Military Goods
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination, receiving approximately $1,746 billion in Canadian military exports (accounting for approximately 64% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
2021 Exports of Military Goods
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination, receiving approximately $1.311 billion in Canadian military exports (accounting for approximately 67% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
2020 Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination, receiving approximately $2.864 billion in Canadian military exports (accounting for approximately 76% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
2019 Exports of Military Goods
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination in 2018, receiving approximately $1.282 billion in Canadian military exports (accounting for 61.96% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada – 2018
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination in 2017, receiving approximately $497.5 million in Canadian military exports (accounting for 48.25% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).”
Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada – 2017
“Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination in 2016, receiving approximately $142.2 million in Canadian military exports (accounting for 19.81% of the total value of military exports).”
Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada – 2016
“Saudi Arabia was the second largest destination of Canadian military exports in 2015, receiving $95.6 million in military exports (accounting for 14.1% of Canadian military exports).”
Report on Exports of Military Goods from Canada – 2015
“Saudi Arabia was the largest export destination outside of the United States in 2014, receiving $224.5 million in military exports (accounting for 28.2% of the total value of military exports).”
Report on exports of military goods from Canada – 2014
“Saudi Arabia, a non-NATO AFCCL destination was the largest single [non-U.S.] destination of Canadian military exports each year [2012 and 2013], received $575.1 million in military exports, accounting for 33% of all Canadian military exports.”
Report on exports of military goods from Canada – 2012-2013
Total (2012-2023): More than $10 billion
Also
Palestine (some collected links)
The 2004 April Uprising in Iraq
The Lebanon Crisis, by War Commentary
Long Live Free Algeria!, by the Federation Communiste Libertaire
Anarchists on National Liberation