WASHINGTON: The United States has given Ukraine small arms and ammunition that were seized while being transferred from Iranian forces to Huthis in Yemen, the US military said Tuesday.
The announcement, made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday, highlighted the transfer of over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s, and more than 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. This transfer, executed last week, aims to augment Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of Russia’s invasion, offering enough material to equip a brigade, according to CENTCOM.
The weapons and ammunition were seized from four “stateless vessels” between May 2021 and February 2023, during attempted transfers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to the Huthis in Yemen. The Huthis, known for targeting ships in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea since November 2023, claim these attacks as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
CENTCOM underscored the broader implications of Iran’s support for armed groups, asserting that such actions jeopardize international and regional security, as well as the safety of US forces, diplomatic personnel, and citizens in the region, along with those of its partners. The statement emphasized the commitment to halt Iran’s destabilizing activities, pledging continued efforts to shed light on and counteract such behavior.
However, while the transfer of seized Iranian weapons and ammunition to Ukraine represents a significant show of support amidst escalating tensions with Russia, it does not fully address Ukraine’s pressing need for critical items such as artillery and air defense munitions. Additionally, the transfer coincides with Ukraine grappling with significant shortages of ammunition, compounded by obstacles in securing new aid due to opposition from US Republican lawmakers.
