Algeria Might Face Sanctions for Buying Russian Fighter Jets, US Official Says
The U.S. is considering imposing sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in response to Algeria’s reported purchase of Russian fighter jets, a State Department official said Feb. 3.
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CAATSA, which was enacted in 2017, requires the U.S. president to sanction those who engage in significant transactions with Russia's defense sector.
The apparent Algeria-Russia sale is “concerning,” and the State Department “is committed to upholding” CAATSA, said Robert Palladino, a senior official in the agency's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. “Transactions like those … may trigger that determination [under CAATSA]. This is something that we will watch closely.”
Palladino made his comments before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism in response to a question from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the full committee’s ranking member.
Also during the hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said he has drafted a bill to designate the Polisario Front a terrorist group if the Algeria-based paramilitary doesn't change its behavior. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., introduced similar legislation in June (see 2506260043).
“Iran is trying to turn the Polisario Front into the Houthis for West Africa -- a proxy force capable of waging war to threaten regional stability and pressure U.S. partners whenever Iran wants leverage,” Cruz said. “The Polisario Front works with Iranian terrorist groups, it takes drones from [Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], it moves weapons and resources around the region, including to jihadists, and much more.”