American officials said it is not uncommon for a new government to review arms sales approved by a predecessor. President Biden on Wednesday.
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The Biden government has imposed a temporary freeze on U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while analyzing billions of dollars in arms transactions approved by former President Donald Trump, according to American officials.
The review, officials said, includes the sale of precision-guided ammunition to Riyadh, as well as first-rate F-35 fighters to Abu Dhabi, an agreement that Washington approved as part of Abraham’s agreements, in which the Emirates established diplomatic relations with Israel.
American officials said it is not uncommon for a new government to review arms sales approved by a predecessor and that, despite the pause, many of the transactions are likely to go ahead.
But, according to campaign promises made by President Biden, Washington is trying to ensure that American weapons are not used to promote the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, where its conflict with Iran-aligned Houthis has resulted in thousands of deaths. of civilians and widespread hunger.
Officials at the Saudi Arabian and Emirate embassies in Washington did not immediately comment on the events.
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