U.S. senators reject bid to halt $23 billion arms deal with United Arab Emirates

Washington, December 10 (RHC)-- The Donald Trump administration appears set to move ahead with a $23 billion arms deal with the United Arab Emirates after a bipartisan effort in the Senate to block the deal failed. 

Critics said the arms deal could further destabilize the Middle East and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.  The deal includes the sale of F-35 fighter jets, Reaper drones and other military equipment made by Raytheon and other U.S. weapons manufacturers.

Philippe Nassif of Amnesty International criticized the arms deal, saying: “Today’s vote could be the first act in a domino effect which ends in human tragedy as this country provides capabilities which risk being used to injure and kill thousands of Yemenis and Libyans in their homes, their schools, and their hospitals.”