US Senator: Saudi Unreliable Ally with Poor Human Rights Record

WASHINGTON- US senators have proposed blocking the latest sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, raising questions about the future of Western military support for Riyadh.

Less than a week after the US government approved the possible sale of US$1.15 billion worth of tanks, machine guns and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia, Republican senator Rand Paul is now considering blocking the deal, Sputnik reported.

“I will work with a bipartisan coalition to explore forcing a vote on blocking this sale,” he said a statement to Foreign Policy magazine.

“Saudi Arabia is an unreliable ally with a poor human rights record. We should not rush to sell them advanced arms and promote an arms race in the Middle East.”

 Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

Paul’s stance comes amid an increase in concern over the humanitarian situation in Yemen, with reports over the weekend suggesting at least 10 children were killed in a Saudi airstrike against a school in the country’s north.

UN estimates for the 16 month-long Saudi-led offensive against Yemen put the death toll at more than 6,400, with the majority of those civilians.

On top of the thousands of deaths, the aggression has forced 2.8 million people from their homes and created a disastrous humanitarian situation in Yemen, where 80 percent of the population is in need of aid.

Despite Washington’s longstanding military support of Riyadh, Paul’s push to block the latest sale of arms does have some support, with fellow Senate foreign relations committee member, Democrat Chris Murphy, also critical of the US’ policy towards Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

“If you talk to Yemeni Americans, they will tell you in Yemen this isn’t a Saudi bombing campaign, it’s a US bombing campaign,” Murphy said, while speaking in the Senate in June.

“Every single civilian death inside Yemen is attributable to the United States. We accept that as a consequence of our participation,” he added.

Lawmakers in the US have 30 days after any arms deal is agreed to try and block it.

H.M