US Blocks Cluster-Bomb Sales To Saudis: Report
Agence France-Presse 1:08 p.m. EDT May 29, 2016
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense-news/2016/05/29/us-blocks-cluster-bomb-sales-saudis-report/85128388/

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has moved to block sales of cluster
bombs to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen, amid reports of mounting civilian
casualties there, a US media report said Saturday.

The report in the journal Foreign Policy, citing US officials, said that the
White House had quietly placed a hold on the transfer of such munitions to
the Sunni kingdom as it carries out a bloody war on Shiite rebels in Yemen.

A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iranian-backed Huthis since
March 2015, trying to roll back their control of wide swaths of Yemen.

Asked by AFP for comment, an administration official said that “we are aware
of reports that the Saudi-led coalition used cluster munitions in the armed
conflict in Yemen, including in areas in which civilians are alleged to have
been present.”

“We take such concerns seriously and are seeking additional information,”
the official added.

Foreign Policy said it was the first concrete display of unease by US
officials over bombings that human rights activists say have killed and
injured hundreds of civilians, including children.

Cluster bombs are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles or
runways.

But because they disperse scores of tiny bomblets over a wide area — some of
which may not explode for years or even decades after being dropped — they
pose a particular threat to civilians.

They were banned by an international treaty in 2008, but Russia and the
United States, both major suppliers, failed to sign it.

The US antiwar group CodePink on Sunday applauded the administration
decision, and called on President Barack Obama to suspend all arms transfers
to the kingdom.

Amnesty International said Monday that the Saudi use of cluster bombs had
created “minefields” for civilians in Yemen. It has called, along with Human
Rights Watch, for a ban on arms sales to the Saudis.

The United States has sold the Saudis millions of dollars’ worth of cluster
bombs and provided other forms of military support.

The reported move on cluster bombs comes amid growing criticism by American
lawmakers of the Saudi monarchy. Legislators are unhappy that the Saudis
have not done more to fight the militants of the Islamic State group in
Syria, Yemen and elsewhere.

The longstanding US-Saudi relationship, built on an exchange of American
security backing for a reliable supply of Saudi oil, has been strained as
the United States has gained greater energy independence even while reaching
historic agreement with the Saudis’ bitter regional foe Iran.