US Congress agrees to sell $5 billion military equipment to Saudi Arabia and Emirates | Abroad

The US Department of Defense informed Congress of its plan to sell 300 Patriot missiles to the regime in Riyadh for $3.05 billion. According to the Pentagon, this will enable Saudi Arabia to “replenish its dwindling stock of Patriot missiles.” These were used against the drone attacks launched by the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen on Saudi Arabia, the US said. Since 2015, a conflict has raged in Yemen between government forces, supported by a military coalition led by Riyadh, and the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran.

Congress also authorized a deal with United Arab Emirates, an ally of Saudi Arabia in the conflict in Yemen. Two THAAD systems, containing 96 missiles, may be delivered to Abu Dhabi for an amount of USD 2.25 billion (EUR 2.21 billion). The American group Raytheon makes the Patriots, THAAD is a system of Lockheed Martin, also American.

The arms sale announcement comes shortly after the UN announced an extension of the ceasefire in Yemen for another two months, with hopes of “intensifying” negotiations leading to a more lasting peace.

On taking office, US President Joe Biden said he would not sell weapons to Saudi Arabia for an offensive in Yemen. According to the US, the weapons that may be bought now will be used for defensive purposes.

Biden visited Saudi Arabia in July to discuss, among other things, the production of additional oil as the US suffers from high inflation and additional gasoline prices. The visit came at a lot of criticism in his own country. Crown Prince Bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who lived in the US until his death, and for the American newspaper, according to US security services. The Washington Post worked. Biden said he confronted Bin Salman with the Khashoggi case during the visit. Bin Salman denies this.