CRS INSIGHT
Saudi Military Campaign in Yemen Draws
Congressional Attention to U.S. Arms Sales
August 30, 2016 (IN10557)
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Christopher M. Blanchard
Jeremy M. Sharp
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Christopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs (cblanchard@crs.loc.gov, 7-0428)
Jeremy M. Sharp, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs (jsharp@crs.loc.gov, 7-8687)
Paul K. Kerr, Specialist in Nonproliferation (pkerr@crs.loc.gov, 7-8693)
Some lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking to condition or prohibit the sale or transfer of certain munitions
and the provision of some U.S. foreign assistance to Saudi Arabia. These proposals have come amid reports of Yemeni
civilian casualties resulting from Saudi-led coalition military operations in Yemen, which resumed in August 2016.
Some lawmakers suggest that U.S. arms sales and military support to Saudi Arabia are enabling alleged Saudi violations
of international humanitarian law. Human rights organizations seek further investigations into the alleged Saudi
violations, and some observers are calling for the suspension of U.S. arms sales and Yemen-related military support to
Saudi Arabia.
Proponents of proposed sales and continued U.S.-Saudi military cooperation have argued that the United States should
provide more advanced U.S. technology and expanded training and intelligence sharing to improve Saudi operations.
Some of these proponents point to Saudi actions to mitigate civilian casualties and investigate alleged violations,
arguing that disrupting U.S. support could threaten Saudi security and jeopardize broader, long-standing defense and
intelligence ties.
Saudi officials acknowledge that their operations have caused undesired civilian casualties, while also alleging that their
adversaries in Yemen intentionally use civilian facilities for military purposes. The Saudi government maintains that its
military campaign is an act of legitimate self-defense, citing its Yemeni adversaries' repeated, deadly cross-border
attacks, including ballistic missile attacks.
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA, 22 U.S.C. 2754) authorizes the sale of U.S. defense articles and services for
specific purposes, including "legitimate self-defense." (See CRS Report R42385, U.S. Defense Articles and Services
Supplied to Foreign Recipients: Restrictions on Their Use.)The AECA (22 U.S.C. 2753) states that recipients may not
