Saudi-led coalition begins paying US back for overdue Yemen war bills
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are on the hook for a $299 million billing error for aerial refueling.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has begun paying back the United States for nearly $300 million in refueling support that took place over three years, Al-Monitor has learned. The refueling support was canceled by the Donald Trump administration late last year.
Just days after President Trump vetoed a congressional resolution to cut off US military assistance in Yemen, the Pentagon said the United States has received its first payments after notifying the coalition of the billing error in December. The Department of Defense is seeking $299 million for the refueling effort against the Iran-backed Houthis, which the resolution said amounted to US engagement in "hostilities."
“The US has received initial reimbursement for the additional refueling expenses following notification to the Saudi-led coalition of the billing error,” Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told Al-Monitor. “The process of reimbursement is ongoing, and we continue to expect full reimbursement of refueling expenses.”
The Pentagon adjusted the total owed by the Saudi-led military grouping down from $331 million after a review “to ensure there was no faulty, duplicative or incomplete billing,” Rebarich said. She added that the Defense Department is still working to provide final costs to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
