Human Rights Watch has called on the US Congress to block the possible re-export to Ukraine of cluster munitions from Turkish stocks. Turkey is seeking Washington’s approval to transfer US-origin weapons as part of a $256 million deal. The State Department is prepared to approve it, but the re-export could still be halted during the congressional review process.
Briefly about the main points
- Turkey is asking the US to approve the sale of arms to Ukraine.
- Human rights activists are warning of the risk posed by unexploded ordnance.
- The package includes ATACMS missiles, M26 missiles and 203-mm shells.
- Along with the ammunition, 12 M270 systems may be sold.
- The decision will depend on further deliberations in the US Congress.
What might be included in the Turkish package
The proposed transfer comprises 70 M39 ballistic missiles ATACMS, each of which is equipped with 950 M74 submunitions. The figure also includes 2,524 M26 unguided rockets, each containing 644 M77 submunitions, and 47,203-millimetre M509A1 artillery shells, each containing 180 M42 sub-munitions.
According to Human Rights Watch, this ammunition contains a total of more than 10.1 million explosive components. Separately, Turkey intends to sell Ukraine all 12 M270 multiple launch rocket systems in its possession.
HRW highlights the ongoing danger to civilians
Some of the munitions that may be transferred to Ukraine have been stored in Turkish depots for decades. HRW argues that old cluster munitions may have a higher failure rate, and that submunitions which fail to detonate during use will remain dangerous after hostilities have ended.
The organisation also emphasises that cluster munitions cover a large area. It is precisely the risk to civilians posed by unexploded submunitions that forms the basis for its demand to prevent the transfer.
The State Department’s position and the procedure in Congress
In a letter to Congress dated 6 August, a State Department official announced the US government’s willingness to authorise the re-export. According to the department’s explanation, Ukraine is seeking to acquire the systems to bolster its offensive and defensive capabilities in the face of the Russian invasion; Ukrainian forces are already using similar munitions.
Turkey plans to reduce its stockpiles of obsolete weaponry and use the resources to modernise its own systems. To halt the operation, the House of Representatives and the Senate must pass a joint resolution of disapproval. The HRW appeal does not in itself determine the outcome: the future status of the re-export depends on the consideration of the notification by US lawmakers.
