US forces seized the munitions between May 2021 and February 2023. EPA
US forces seized the munitions between May 2021 and February 2023. EPA
US forces seized the munitions between May 2021 and February 2023. EPA
US forces seized the munitions between May 2021 and February 2023. EPA

US sends seized Houthi weapons to Ukraine's military


Sara Ruthven
  • English
  • Arabic

The US has transferred thousands of assault rifles, rocket launchers and large amounts of ammunition seized from Yemen's Houthis to the Ukrainian military, Central Command said on Tuesday.

The US government this week sent more than “5,000 AK-47s, machine-guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition” to the Ukrainian armed forces, Centcom said in a post on X.

US forces seized the munitions between May 2021 and February 2023, and the government obtained ownership of them in December through the Justice Department's “civil forfeiture claims” against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The claim states the weapons were forfeited as otherwise they would have been used to “fuel violence and conflict around the globe”, the Justice Department said last month.

“Iran’s support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, diplomatic personnel and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners,” Centcom said.

“We will continue to do whatever we can to shed light on and stop Iran’s destabilising activities.”

The Iran-backed Houthis have been engaged in dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in support of Hamas amid the Israel-Gaza war.

US naval forces have been working to end Houthi attacks in the major international shipping lane through the US-led multinational security campaign Operation Prosperity Guardian.

The US has also carried out a series of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

The move to transfer the weapons to Kyiv comes as the US Congress dithers over continuing to fund Ukraine's war against Russia's invasion.

Though support for Ukraine in Washington was initially strong, congressional Republicans have demanded a crackdown at the US-Mexico border in exchange for supporting President Joe Biden’s $110 billion emergency spending request that includes about $61.4 billion for Kyiv.

The Pentagon has warned for months that if aid is not sent to Ukraine, Russia will triumph in the war, now in its third year.

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Updated: April 09, 2024, 4:45 PM