Ilhan Omar Criticizes Biden For Sending Cluster Munitions To Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Ilhan Omar has condemned President Joe Biden's decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions amid its war with Russia.

The controversial weapon is banned in many countries because of its exceptionally high dud rate. Many of those duds don't explode until well after violent conflicts are over, resulting in civilian deaths.

The weapons are not banned by the U.S., however.

"Cluster munitions are illegal under international law. A total of 123 countries have ratified the convention to ban their use under all circumstances—including nearly all our allies," Omar said in a statement.

"It’s not hard to understand why. Because cluster bombs scatter multiple small bombs over a large area, they kill civilians both during an attack and after. I was recently in Vietnam where I heard firsthand how innocent civilians continue to be killed by US cluster munitions a full fifty years after the conflict ended. Tens of thousands of explosives are found every year there."

Omar said she will co-lead an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act prohibiting the sale of cluster munitions.

Biden told CNN last week that it was a "very difficult decision" to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, but moved forward because the country needs more ammunition to defend itself

"I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill,” Biden said, adding, "The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition."