Percorso:ANSA > Nuova Europa > News > Croatia increased sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia

Croatia increased sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia

Material has been diverted in Syria, Balkan Insight

23 February, 15:18

(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Croatia drastically increased its sales of Yugoslav and wartime era munitions to Saudi Arabia in 2016, Balkan Insight said. Human rights group warn that deliveries are being illegally diverted to warzones, in breach of Eu and international law. According to Balkan Insight, in the first nine months of last year, Zagreb sold 83 million euros worth of ammunition and rocket or grenade launchers. Videos and images emerging from Syria provide convincing evidence of the presence of Croatian-made ammunition and weapons in the country.

Croatia was among the first countries to supply weapons to Syrian rebels. The equipment was paid for by Saudi Arabia and routed via Jordan, with Cia coordination. Since December 2012 and the start of the Syrian war, Croatia exported 126 million euros of arms and ammunition to Saudi Arabia and 44 million euros to Jordan, according to Un's Comtrade website. Prior to this, trade was virtually nonexistent. Between 2012 and 2014, Croatia agreed export licenses worth 302 million euros to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, key suppliers of the opposition in Syria. Shipments in February, June and September 2016 accounted for 2,600 tonnes of bullets, mortar shells or rockets, worth 77 million euros. These exports originated from the Croatian Ministry of Defence's large stockpiles dating the war of secession in the early 90s. Amnesty has warned that weapons sold to Saudi Arabia have ended up with armed groups committing war crimes, including indirectly, Isis.

(ANSA).

© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved