U.S. Set to OK MQ-9B Drone Sales to Morocco after it Normalizes Ties with Israel

U.S. Set to OK MQ-9B Drone Sales to Morocco after it Normalizes Ties with Israel

The United States is set to approve the sale of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to Morocco soon after the Middle East country announced the normalization of ties with Israel.

As part of the U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations with Israel, Washington has agreed to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara region over which it locked in a dispute with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. The deal was made public in a series of Tweets by U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday.

“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!” one of Trump’s tweets read.

In addition, the U.S. will sell Morocco MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones which could help it to secure the vast desert and maritime boundary of the Western Sahara region.

The deal for four drones had been in the works for months and Congress could give a green signal in the coming days, Reuters reported citing sources. It is not known whether the contract will include weapons.

Notably, the Trump administration had approved $23.4 billion arms sales including F-35 fighters and MQ-9B drones to the U.A.E. soon after signing of the Abraham Accord or normalization deal with Israel.