Swiss Government Approves $184 Million Worth Middle Eastern Arms Deals

Swizerland’s government has approved some Middle Eastern arms deals which were previously blocked in response to the rising military conflict in Yemen, the local media reported Wednesday.

With approved deal amounting to some 178 million Swiss francs ($184 million), the government allowed the sale of air defense system, military aircraft and artillery spare parts and other defensive equipment that cannot be used in ground combat in Yemen, Sputnik reported citing the Telebasel television broadcaster report.

In March 2015, the Swiss government suspended arms supply deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in response to violence escalation in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition had begun conducting air strikes against Houthi rebels.

With over 50 Middle Eastern arms deal on hold, the government had come under substantial pressure from arms exporters, the broadcaster said, noting that the ban lift was cautious and that prohibitions on the exports that could end up in Yemen remain.