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.
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.
