US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen

[Imran Khan]

US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen

Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies.

Yemeni supporters of the Shiite Huthi movement take part in a ceremony commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Huthi takeover of the capital Sanaa on Sept. 21, 2021. The conflict in Yemen flared in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital, prompting Saudi-led intervention to prop up the internationally recognized government the following year. - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Al-Monitor Staff



Topics Covered
Defense/Security cooperation

Yemen war

September 23, 2021
The US House of Representatives approved a measure on Thursday that would force an end to maintenance and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Lawmakers voted 219-207 to advance the measure, which was introduced by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) and Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. The heads of the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees, Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), also co-sponsored the measure.
The amendment would be included in next year’s National Defense Authorization Act if it passes the Senate.
“The passage of our amendment as part of this year’s NDAA sends a clear signal to the government of Saudi Arabia that they must end their war of attrition, support a political settlement, and make amends," Khanna said in a statement on Thursday.
“Next, our amendment will head to NDAA conference negotiations, and I will continue to push for its inclusion in the final conference report so that President Biden can sign it into law," Khanna said.
"It’s time to do what is morally right, hold Saudi Arabia accountable, and fully end U.S. complicity in the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing of Yemeni civilians.”
Why it Matters: The advancement marks another incremental win for the California lawmaker and members of his party who have long sought to end US military support for Riyadh’s war effort in Yemen, a campaign that has largely failed to roll back the Houthis’ victories while worsening that country’s humanitarian crises.
"Our collective goal has been, and must remain, to bring about an end to the worst humanitarian crisis in the world as swiftly as possible," Smith said in a statement.
Ending the US role in the conflict has long had bipartisan support in Washington.
US President Joe Biden announced an end to US support for offensive operations by the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen shortly after taking office, fulfilling an earlier campaign promise.
But the Pentagon has continued to provide maintenance support to the Royal Saudi Air Force, as well as what officials say is defensive intelligence to Riyadh for early warnings ahead of Houthi missile attacks on the Gulf kingdom.
The head of US forces in the Middle East, Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, told Al-Monitor in April that the military does not provide intelligence support for offensive Saudi operations inside Yemen.
Former President Donald Trump twice used his veto power to block Congressional efforts to halt support for the Gulf coalition’s war effort.
What's Next: The Houthi rebels, aided by Iran, now control a majority of Yemen's population centers despite the Saudi-led, US-backed campaign.
The Houthis have blown off US and UN mediation and Riyadh's proposals for a ceasefire, continuing to lob missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia while demanding the kingdom end the coalition's blockade of Yemen.
The Biden administration's point man on ending the crisis, Timothy Lenderking, met with senior Saudi and Yemeni officials in Riyadh yesterday.
Know More: Adam Lucente has the latest on progressive Democrats' moves to hold to account Biden's professed focus on human rights in foreign policy.

Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/original...-saudi-aircraft-targeting-yemen#ixzz77NerF8g8

 

[Philip the Arab]

Not going to pass the Senate so it's useless to talk about.

 

[Wood]

If American foreign policy flip flops between Republicans and Democrats, then it would be a disaster for their global ambitions.

 

[The SC]

Not going to pass the Senate so it's useless to talk about.

The amendment to the law came with the proposed defense budget for the Council
The amended version of the law was uploaded after the approval of the House of Representatives to the Senate with the approval of the House of Representatives of the proposed budget

And there are two modifications to the introduction

The first amendment says "to stop logistical, intelligence, technical support and maintenance" completely

It's just logistical and intelligence support, but they don't want to stop the maintenance of all weapons and planes

The second Amendment says :

"Stop the maintenance work, for the planes that appear to have carried out raids that resulted in civilian casualties."

And the two amendments were all approved by the House of Representatives

They are waiting for Senate approval..

It is impossible for the Senate to agree to this kind of talk..

 

[mingle]

Not going to pass the Senate so it's useless to talk about.

Agree with U it's more like pressure tactics and cheering Gallary

 

[Genghis khan1]

It isn’t going to happen. US companies charge ridiculous amount of money to maintain these weapons. I was speaking to GE engineering staff, and I was told that for Saudis, and other GCC, even a small items like nut and bolt are marked upto 8 times their original price compared to USAF. If Saudis try to use their own hardware, this will void equipment maintenance agreement and warranty.

 

[RIP Pak LAW]

US is slowly pulling curbs on Saudi militarily. Its an open secret that they don't like MBS especially after khashoggi episode. Opening of ties with Israel seems to be not working either. Saudia Arab has to think ahead, and better to diversify their militarily procurement. At the moment everything is US made or EU. What if US returns back to nuclear pact with Iran and started ignoring Saudia Arab which may follow unannounced militarily hardware sanctions just like what they did with Pakistan in 90s and now.

 

[DJ_Viper]

US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen

This is how much "LOVE" there is for KSA. KSA should wake up and realize sanctions would be coming whether this year or in the years to come. Anti-KSA elements in the US system are gaining traction.

 

[The SC]

The US defense manufacturers don't like this at all.. and they have a very powerful lobby to prevent this as they don't want to lose KSA as a customer and partner in many projects..

But even if there is less than 1% chance of this going through congress.. Saudi Arabia has top notch engineers and technicians that already overhaul the entire engines of the F-15s.. and many spare parts are made in KSA.. there are a few that are still imported .. but they can be made in KSA in extremis.. besides that ..Saudi Arabia can use the Typhoon and Tornado without restrictions as well as its UAVs and high-end drones..

So no worries..

 

[Maula Jatt]

It isn’t going to happen. US companies charge ridiculous amount of money to maintain these weapons. I was speaking to GE engineering staff, and I was told that for Saudis, and other GCC, even a small items like nut and bolt are marked upto 8 times their original price compared to USAF. If Saudis try to use their own hardware, this will void equipment maintenance agreement and warranty.

GCC desperately needs it's own defense industry something like the Turks

West is most certainly screwing with em

 

[The SC]

US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen

Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies.

Yemeni supporters of the Shiite Huthi movement take part in a ceremony commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Huthi takeover of the capital Sanaa on Sept. 21, 2021. The conflict in Yemen flared in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital, prompting Saudi-led intervention to prop up the internationally recognized government the following year. - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images

Al-Monitor Staff



Topics Covered
Defense/Security cooperation

Yemen war

September 23, 2021
The US House of Representatives approved a measure on Thursday that would force an end to maintenance and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Lawmakers voted 219-207 to advance the measure, which was introduced by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) and Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. The heads of the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees, Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), also co-sponsored the measure.
The amendment would be included in next year’s National Defense Authorization Act if it passes the Senate.
“The passage of our amendment as part of this year’s NDAA sends a clear signal to the government of Saudi Arabia that they must end their war of attrition, support a political settlement, and make amends," Khanna said in a statement on Thursday.
“Next, our amendment will head to NDAA conference negotiations, and I will continue to push for its inclusion in the final conference report so that President Biden can sign it into law," Khanna said.
"It’s time to do what is morally right, hold Saudi Arabia accountable, and fully end U.S. complicity in the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing of Yemeni civilians.”
Why it Matters: The advancement marks another incremental win for the California lawmaker and members of his party who have long sought to end US military support for Riyadh’s war effort in Yemen, a campaign that has largely failed to roll back the Houthis’ victories while worsening that country’s humanitarian crises.
"Our collective goal has been, and must remain, to bring about an end to the worst humanitarian crisis in the world as swiftly as possible," Smith said in a statement.
Ending the US role in the conflict has long had bipartisan support in Washington.
US President Joe Biden announced an end to US support for offensive operations by the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen shortly after taking office, fulfilling an earlier campaign promise.
But the Pentagon has continued to provide maintenance support to the Royal Saudi Air Force, as well as what officials say is defensive intelligence to Riyadh for early warnings ahead of Houthi missile attacks on the Gulf kingdom.
The head of US forces in the Middle East, Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, told Al-Monitor in April that the military does not provide intelligence support for offensive Saudi operations inside Yemen.
Former President Donald Trump twice used his veto power to block Congressional efforts to halt support for the Gulf coalition’s war effort.
What's Next: The Houthi rebels, aided by Iran, now control a majority of Yemen's population centers despite the Saudi-led, US-backed campaign.
The Houthis have blown off US and UN mediation and Riyadh's proposals for a ceasefire, continuing to lob missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia while demanding the kingdom end the coalition's blockade of Yemen.
The Biden administration's point man on ending the crisis, Timothy Lenderking, met with senior Saudi and Yemeni officials in Riyadh yesterday.
Know More: Adam Lucente has the latest on progressive Democrats' moves to hold to account Biden's professed focus on human rights in foreign policy.

Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/original...-saudi-aircraft-targeting-yemen#ixzz77NerF8g8

Yemen war: Outcry over executions of nine men by Houthi rebels

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58630071

 

[The SC]

GCC desperately needs it's own defense industry something like the Turks

West is most certainly screwing with em

KSA and the UAE (meaning the GCC in reality).. have already secured their defense industries.. Left only warplanes, long range air defense systems and very few other systems or subsystems.. that will happen pretty soon too..

Turkey want to sell..so it is advertising a lot..

The GCC is mainly working on self sufficiency as income from sales is not a priority for now..

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

This move drives KSA to buy Su-34 from Russia to bomb Yemen. Russia loves money.