WASHINGTON--Saudi Arabia is battling the Iranian-linked Hoothis in a war over territory in Yemen, which is in the midst of a civil war.
Many of the weapons used by the Saudis are provided by the United States, according to U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. But some of them aren't being used in the ways in which our country intended them to be.
"They are all U.S. made bombs, and they're killing thousands of civilians,” Murphy said on Wednesday. “They're turning the Yemeni population against the United States."
Murphy believes we need to pay closer attention to this civil war since our weapons are being used, and especially because the chaos in Yemen is creating a void in which ISIS and Al-Qaeda could gain power--the terror groups are already setting up camps and recruiting members.
"I don't know that you can make a case that it's making America any more safe,” said Murphy.
Murphy believes Congress needs to step up and start having oversight on arms sales to the Saudis, and make sure they are used to support U.S. national security.
"If our number one priority is fighting ISIS and fighting Al Qaeda, which it should be, then why are we funding a civil war that's creating more space for ISIS and Al Qaeda?" Murphy asked.
He's teamed up with Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky--who is also speaker of the house--to introduce legislation that would require the president to ensure Saudi Arabia is using the weapons against terrorists, not civilians, before Congress approves a sale or transfer of munitions to the Saudis.
"We shouldn't supply those munitions to Saudi Arabia unless they commit to stop bombing civilians and they commit to stopping a civil war that right now is providing impetus for Al Qaeda and ISIS to grow,” said Murphy.
They plan on introducing the legislation Wednesday.