Local Editor
Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned another prospective arms deal between the Washington and Manama after the U.S. State Department cleared Bahrain to buy as many as 3,200 bomb bodies to arm its fleet of F-16 fighters.
“Instead of pressing Bahrain on its persecution – and prosecution – of human rights defenders, the U.S. blindly sells it millions of dollars worth of weapons without conditions,” said HRW’s deputy Washington director, Andrea Prasow. “The message is clear, whether it’s to the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Bahrain – buy American weapons and get a free pass on human rights issues from the U.S.”
Last March, the Trump White House decided to resume arms sales to Manama despite its role in widespread human rights violations both at home and in Yemen where a Saudi-led military campaign has killed tens of thousands.
In April, the U.S. State Department signed off on the sale of attack helicopters to Bahrain worth nearly USD 1 billion.
The latest sale, which still requires Congressional approval, could be worth over USD 42 million.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
