US arms sales: Amnesty warns of massive civilian deaths

Amnesty International has warned about massive civilian deaths over the United Arab Emirates UAE’s procurement of American weapons.

According to the details, Amnesty International has demanded the US to drop plans for shelving the $23bn arms deal with UAE.

Philippe Nassif, advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International USA, said that the US must not supply arms to UAE that may result in massive civilian deaths.

Referring to Libya, Amnesty said that the drones have been used to target civilian homes and health facilities, including field hospitals and ambulances.

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Massive Arms Deal: US Approves $23bn sale to UAE

The United States of America US in a major move on the...

On Monday Secretary of  State, Mike Pompeo confirmed Tuesday that the US planned to sell top-of-the-line F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of a $23.37 billion package.

Today, the United States notified Congress of proposed UAE purchases of F-35 fighter aircraft, MQ-9B UAS, and munitions worth $23.37 billion to deter and defend against increased threats from Iran following historic Abraham Accords.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 10, 2020

Pompeo said in a statement that “The UAE’s historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to positively transform the region’s strategic landscape.”

The move comes on the heels of a previous notification of a potential sale of 50 Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets to the UAE, in a sale that could amount to $10 billion.