United States resuming arms supply to Bahrain

The United States has announced that it will resume supplying arms to Bahrain, despite the Al Khalifa regime's crackdown on anti-government protesters.

European Phoenix -- “We have made the decision to release additional items to Bahrain mindful of the fact that there are a number of serious unresolved human rights issues that the government of Bahrain needs to address,” US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland announced in a statement issued on Friday.

Most of these shipments were frozen last year in response to the kingdom’s crackdown on protesters, but the US will now proceed with deliveries of certain weaponry, such as Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), ammunition, upgraded F-16 jet engines, harbor boats, and a frigate.

The decision to resume weapons deliveries was announced following a visit to the US by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who met with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Washington on Wednesday.

The meeting came a day after the ruling Al Khalifa regime threatened to intensify the crackdown on anti-government protesters.