US to Lift Freeze on Offensive Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia: Sources

The United States is poised to lift its freeze on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks.

One source indicated that there would be a significant resumption in the types of weapons sold, although no specific details were provided.

The freeze on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia was initially imposed under President Joe Biden as part of several foreign policy actions targeting Gulf countries. These actions included lifting the terror designation from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, despite opposition from traditional Gulf and Arab allies, and halting offensive weapons sales.

Since the freeze, Saudi Arabia has played a role in facilitating peace talks and has established direct communication lines with the Houthis, who had previously launched rockets, missiles, and bomb-laden drones at the Kingdom for years.

The Financial Times first reported the Biden administration’s decision to lift the freeze on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh has recognized and supported the legitimate Yemeni government and provided millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Two years after the initial freeze, the Biden administration reversed its stance, re-designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization. The US is now engaged in almost daily retaliatory attacks with the Iran-backed group.

Furthermore, the US has urged Yemen’s neighboring countries to join an international task force aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. However, apart from Bahrain, no Gulf or Arab country has publicly joined Operation Prosperity Guardian, and several countries have restricted or limited the US’s ability to launch anti-Houthi attacks from bases on their territory.