IRIA News

The Biden administration has officially lifted a three-year-old ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, reversing a policy initially aimed at pressuring the kingdom to end its military involvement in Yemen.

The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, driven by evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, particularly in the wake of recent events involving Hamas and Israel.

The U.S. State Department confirmed on Friday that it has lifted the suspension on certain air-to-ground munitions transfers to Saudi Arabia. A senior official stated, “We will consider new transfers on a typical case-by-case basis consistent with the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy.” The decision to lift the ban, first reported by Reuters, comes after the administration briefed Congress on the matter earlier in the week.

The lifting of the ban suggests that sales could resume within days, with the U.S. government moving swiftly to notify relevant parties about upcoming deals. A senior Biden administration official remarked, “The Saudis have met their end of the deal, and we are prepared to meet ours.” This indicates that the decision is part of a broader agreement between Washington and Riyadh, signaling a deepening of ties between the two nations.

Under U.S. law, major international weapons deals require congressional review before they can be finalized. In recent years, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about providing offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, particularly due to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and ongoing human rights issues within the kingdom.

However, the opposition has softened amid escalating turmoil in the Middle East following Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack on Israel. The subsequent changes in Saudi Arabia’s conduct in Yemen have also contributed to this shift in congressional sentiment. Since March 2022, following a U.N.-led truce between the Saudis and the Houthi rebels, there have been no Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, and cross-border fire from Yemen into Saudi Arabia has largely ceased.

The State Department has acknowledged the “positive steps” taken by the Saudi Ministry of Defense over the past three years to improve their civilian harm mitigation processes. These improvements, facilitated in part by U.S. trainers and advisors, have been cited as a key factor in the decision to lift the ban.

The war in Yemen has long been seen as one of several proxy battles between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels fighting against a Saudi-led military coalition since 2015. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and left 80% of Yemen’s population dependent on humanitarian aid.

President Biden initially adopted a tougher stance on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in 2021, citing the kingdom’s campaign in Yemen, which has caused significant civilian casualties. However, ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia have warmed considerably since then, particularly in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023.

Washington and Riyadh have been working more closely to develop a plan for the post-war situation in Gaza, and this cooperation appears to have influenced the decision to lift the weapons ban.

The Biden administration has also been engaged in negotiations with Saudi Arabia on a broader defense pact and an agreement for civil nuclear cooperation. These talks are part of a larger strategy that envisions Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel, although this goal remains challenging.

Regional Tensions and Strategic Considerations

The decision to lift the weapons ban comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Since late October, the threat level in the region has risen significantly, with Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group vowing to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The Houthis, who have aligned themselves with Hamas in its conflict with Israel, have also posed a growing threat in the region. Earlier this year, they attacked commercial ships they claimed were linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports.

In this context, the U.S. decision to lift the ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia reflects a recalibration of its strategic priorities in the Middle East. As the region continues to grapple with complex and evolving security challenges, the Biden administration’s move signals a commitment to strengthening its alliances and ensuring that key partners like Saudi Arabia are equipped to address emerging threats.

The resumption of offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region’s security landscape. While it may help to bolster Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities, it also raises questions about the future of the Yemen conflict and the broader U.S. role in the Middle East. As the situation continues to unfold, the Biden administration’s decision will undoubtedly be scrutinized by both domestic and international observers.