(ANSA-AFP) – WASHINGTON, 09 APR – The United States has handed over to Ukraine small arms and ammunition seized while being transferred by Iranian forces to Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the US military said on Tuesday.
The transfer last week came as Ukraine faces a significant ammunition shortage and US Republican lawmakers block new aid, but does not address Kiev’s need for key pieces such as artillery and air defense munitions.
“The US government transferred over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Thursday,” US Central Command (Centcom) said. on social media.
“The weapons and ammunition were seized between May 2021 and February 2023 from four ‘stateless ships’ while being transferred by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Houthi rebels in Yemen,” Centcom said.
The Houthis have targeted shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea since November 2023 in attacks they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. “Iran’s support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, our diplomatic personnel and our citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners.
We will continue to do everything we can to shed light on and stop Iran’s destabilizing activities,” Centcom said.
(ANSA-AFP).
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
