US approves $2.2 billion sale of tanks to Bahrain

The US has approved the sale of 50 Abrams M1A2 battle tanks to Bahrain at a cost of US$2.2 billion (about R$11 billion), the State Department said on Tuesday (19).

The small island nation is Washington's ally in the Middle East, but has been the target of a US arms embargo following its crackdown on protests fueled by Shiite parties in the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011.

“The proposed sale will improve Bahrain's ability to counter current and future threats, deter adversaries, and provide a credible force that provides the ability to participate in regional operations with the United States and other partner nations,” the State Department noted.

The ministry said it notified Congress of the transaction with Bahrain, a country that maintains tense relations with neighboring Iran. Lawmakers could still block the sale, but most military deals would flourish.

Bahrain is the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and is classified as one of its major non-NATO allies, providing privileged defense cooperation with the United States.

Alone among the Arab states, Bahrain is a member of the US- and UK-led coalition that has been carrying out operations against attacks on merchant ships in solidarity with Houthi rebels in Yemen, an ally of Iran. Rebels, along with Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Abrams tanks, the heaviest in the world and a mainstay of the US military, have also been sent to Ukraine.

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