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US grants preliminary approval to sell arms to Saudi Arabia and the UAE
The US State Department approved more than $5 billion combined in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (August 2), the i24news.
The sales, which will need to be approved finally by Congress, will replenish the missile supplies of both countries, it said.
The State Department said on both notifications of the sales: "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
If approved, Riyadh will receive 300 MIM-104E Patriot missiles as well as adjunct systems, tools, materials and support. The total amount of the package is $3.05 billion, the i24 news mentioned.
The State Department said: "These missiles are used to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's borders against persistent Houthi cross-border unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile attacks on civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.”
The UAE requested 96 THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missiles, two launch control stations and two tactical operation stations. The $2.245 billion purchase also includes support and material needed for the missile systems.
Houthis commit 277 violations of UN truce in 48 hours
A partner in the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in Yemen, the UAE has also been attacked by Houthi drones.
While the UN announced the extension of a ceasefire in Yemen earlier Tuesday, the threat of the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen continues to loom over Sunni states in the Persian Gulf.
Source: i24news
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