Intel: How Saudi support for Yemen extremists could dry up US arms sales

CNN released a bombshell report Monday evening accusing Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of funneling American-made weapons to Al-Qaeda and other militant groups in Yemen, which would violate US arms sales agreements.

Why it matters: The Pentagon confirmed to CNN that it has launched an investigation into the Saudi-led coalition’s arms transfers in Yemen, which could expose sensitive US technology to Iran-backed Houthi rebels and other hostile groups.

"We have not gotten authoritative certification of how those weapons are being used,” US Central Command Chief Joseph Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing on global threats today. “We have not authorized Saudi Arabia or the Emirates to transfer any of this equipment to other parties on the ground in Yemen.”

But Votel also said he was “concerned” that the US arms sales process was too lengthy and not responsive to the needs of American allies. He hands over command to Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie in March.