Announcement by President Joe Biden signals a clear break with the policy followed by his predecessor Donald Trump, although a lucrative FMS to the United Arab Emirates remains untouched — for now.
US President Joe Biden announced on 4 February that his administration will freeze arms sales to Saudi Arabia, citing the ‘humanitarian and strategic catastrophe’ in Yemen.
In his first major foreign policy speech since being inaugurated last month, Biden pledged to end US backing for the Saudi-led coalition that is supporting government forces against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
However, Biden said that support would continue for Saudi defense against UAV and missile attacks from Houthis.
The announcement seems to mark a decisive break with the policy followed by previous President Donald Trump, who supported arms exports to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other regional allies under the FMS program.