US approves $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle East allies

"The US State Department has provided detailed justification of an emergency requiring the sales in the national security interests of the United States, bypassing the congressional review process outlined in the Arms Export Control Act."

"Israel and the Gulf states have faced a barrage of missile and drone attacks from Iran since the start of the war in late February, draining their stockpiles of US weapons and straining their air defense systems."

"The sales include the transfer of an advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS) and related equipment to Israel for $992m, and the purchase of battle command systems by Kuwait for $2.5bn."

The US State Department has fast-tracked $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle Eastern allies, citing emergency circumstances related to the US-Israel war on Iran. This decision allows the sales to proceed without congressional approval. Key sales include advanced precision kill weapon systems to Israel, battle command systems to Kuwait, and restocking of Patriot air and missile defense systems for Qatar. The urgency stems from missile and drone attacks from Iran, which have depleted the stockpiles of US weapons in the region.

Read at www.aljazeera.com