The US has transferred thousands of infantry weapons and over 500,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, seized more than a year ago from shipments by Iran to Houthi forces in Yemen, Reuters reports.
The weaponry, including AK-47 assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades, was confiscated from “stateless” vessels intercepted by US naval ships and partner forces between May 2021 and February 2023. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran was reportedly sending these weapons to the Houthis in Yemen.
US President Joe Biden’s administration faces obstacles in providing further weaponry due to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to call a vote on $60 billion in new security assistance. With Ukrainian forces facing shortages, the US and its allies are exploring alternative ways to arm Kyiv.
