Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today informed Congress that the State Department will proceed with a $5 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain despite their dismal record on human rights. The sale was initially proposed during the Obama Administration, but was put on hold until the Bahrain government could demonstrate progress in improving human rights issues within their country.
Critics have expressed concern that not only will the decision give Bahraini leaders a free hand to continue a domestic crackdown on dissent, but it will embolden them abroad. The jets that Washington have approved will likely be used in the air campaign the Bahraini military is waging in Yemen in support of the Saudi-led coalition.
“There is no worse time for them to remove the conditions of the F-16 deal,” Sayed Alwadaei, the director of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy stated. “This move will have a catastrophic impact not only in Bahrain but also in the region.” “The Trump administration is giving Bahrain the thumbs up to continue its intensified crackdown. People are being tortured, sentenced to death and executed in Bahrain,” he continued.
Earlier this month, the Bahraini parliament approved military court trials for civilians in a bid to combat unrest.
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