The US State Department has authorized the transfer of some ammunition to Saudi Arabia. "We will consider new transactions on a case-by-case basis, consistent with our Conventional Arms Transfer Policy," a senior department official said.

The decision was notified to the US Congress last week. A source said the arms sales could resume as early as next week.

Under U.S. law, major international arms deals must be reviewed by Congress before they are finalized. In recent years, lawmakers have expressed concerns about providing offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia due to the war in Yemen and human rights concerns. However, that opposition has softened following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year and the shift in the Yemen campaign.

Since March 2022, when Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group reached a UN-backed ceasefire agreement, there have been no Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, and fire from Yemen into Saudi Arabia has also decreased significantly.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States have warmed, with Washington working more closely with Riyadh after Hamas attacks on Israel. The Biden administration is also negotiating a defense pact and a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia amid escalating Middle East tensions.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)