Phoenix 24
A fragile truce gives way to renewed militarization.
Washington | July 2026
The United States has approved a potential $1.96 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia as renewed exchanges with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement threaten to dismantle years of reduced cross-border violence. The authorization still requires the completion of negotiations and does not confirm that a final contract has been signed.
Riyadh requested up to 10,000 air-to-air and 10,000 air-to-ground components for the APKWS-II advanced precision weapon system. The proposed package also includes launchers, warheads, rocket motors, spare parts, technical documentation and training for Saudi personnel.
Washington says the equipment would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to confront present and future threats, expand its aerial self-defense capacity and improve coordination with American and allied forces. BAE Systems is expected to serve as the principal contractor.
The decision arrives as the Saudi-Houthi truce faces its most serious challenge in years, raising fears that Yemen could again become a central battlefield in the wider regional confrontation involving Iran. Precision weapons may reinforce Saudi defenses, but renewed military escalation risks pushing a country already devastated by prolonged war toward another cycle of attacks and humanitarian suffering.
Más armas pueden modificar el equilibrio, pero no garantizan la paz. / More weapons may alter the balance, but they do not guarantee peace.