Riyadh's Growing Military Purchases From Russia Challenge Saudi-US Military Ties

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 14th December, 2018) Saudi Arabia could undermine its long-standing military ties with the United States if it continues to purchase weapons from Russia, US lawmakers said in a resolution passed by the Senate on Thursday.

"The Senate... warns that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's increasing purchases of military equipment from, and cooperation with, the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, challenges the strength and integrity of the long-standing military-to-military relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and may introduce significant national security and economic risks to both parties," the resolution said.

The US Senate passed the resolution, which also calls for holding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to account for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, by voice vote without any objections on Thursday.

The resolution also calls for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia leads a coalition of Arab countries that battling the Houthi rebels.

The legislation also calls for the release of Raif Badawi, Samar Badawi, and other Saudi women's rights activists.

It� also supports the end of US air-to-air refueling of Saudi-led coalition aircraft in Yemen.