US arms ended up in hands of Iranian-backed rebels, al Qaeda-linked fighters

Yemeni fighters loyal to the government backed by the Saudi-led coalition ride in a pickup truck.

#Getty Images

Saudi Arabia has handed over American-made weapons and technology to al Qaeda-linked fighters, Iranian-backed rebels and other militant groups waging war in Yemen, violating an agreement with the United States, a report said Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners, including the United Arab Emirates, are using the American weapons as a way to buy the loyalty of militias or tribes, support their allies and influence the political landscape, CNN reported, citing local commanders and military analysts.

The weaponry has also ended up in the hands of Iranian-backed rebels, giving Tehran insight into some of America’s most sensitive technology and possibly jeopardizing US troops fighting in other areas.

The Saudis are violating the terms of arms sales with the US by giving the weapons to third parties, the Department of Defense confirmed to CNN.

An investigation into the arms transfers is ongoing, the report said.

The weapons — including anti-tank missiles, armored vehicles, heat-seeking lasers and artillery — have been passed on, sold, stolen or abandoned in Yemen.

The revelations come as lawmakers in Congress are considering a bipartisan resolution to withdraw US support for the Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

The resolution took on new urgency after last October’s killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officials at the embassy in Turkey and President Trump’s unwillingness to blame Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for the murder.

The Senate approved the measure in November over the Trump administration’s objections. Republicans in the House initially blocked a vote.

Saudi Arabia created a coalition of forces in 2015 to back Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, ousted at the hands of Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It evolved into a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The Obama administration began providing support for the Saudi-backed forces, an effort that was ramped up during the Trump administration.