US approves $785 million bomb sale to UAE ally against ISIS

The US State Department has approved the sale of $785 million in bombs to the United Arab Emirates for the US-led campaign against ISIS militants in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

A statement said the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which facilitates foreign arms sales, told lawmakers on Tuesday that the sales had been approved. Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are carefully vetted before any formal notification.

Washington views the UAE as an important ally in the fight against ISIS and has supporters and sympathizers around the world who have carried out bombings and shootings of civilians.

The UAE has taken part in air strikes against Islamic State in Syria.

Separately, the US State Department also approved the sale of 246 missiles and other equipment to Japan for $821 million, to be used for defense at sea over East Asian and Western Pacific airspace, the Pentagon said. The missiles would be used on two new destroyers being built by Japan.