US to resume sales of ‘offensive’ weapons to Saudi Arabia

In a significant shift in foreign policy, the United States (US) has announced that it will resume sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, ending a four-year suspension imposed due to the kingdom’s controversial military actions in Yemen.

The decision comes as the US seeks to reassert its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, which has been strained in recent years over concerns about human rights and civilian casualties in Yemen. The move is seen as a major departure from the Biden administration’s initial pledge to prioritize human rights and only provide “defensive” weaponry to Saudi Arabia.

In 2021, the US government suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response to the kingdom’s devastating airstrikes in Yemen, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including children. The suspension was triggered by the Saudi-led military campaign against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels, who had taken control of large parts of the country.

However, a UN-brokered truce in early 2022 has largely held, and tensions have decreased significantly. According to State Department officials, there have been no Saudi airstrikes into Yemen since the truce, and cross-border fire from Yemen into Saudi Arabia has largely ceased.

“This change in circumstances allows us to revisit our previous stance,” said Vedant Patel, a State Department spokesman. “Saudi Arabia has met its commitments under the truce, and we are prepared to meet ours.”

The decision to resume arms sales is likely to be met with criticism from human rights groups and lawmakers who have long been concerned about the humanitarian impact of Saudi Arabia’s military actions in Yemen. However, the move is also seen as a reflection of the US’s ongoing efforts to maintain a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is a key player in regional security and a major buyer of US weapons.

The State Department emphasized that the resumption of arms sales will be done in a way that ensures transparency and congressional oversight, with regular notifications and consultations with lawmakers. The move is expected to be closely watched by lawmakers and human rights advocates in the coming weeks.