Washington has resumed military aid to the Bahraini government. The move was criticized by human rights groups, which say it takes place “in the absence of any real or meaningful political reforms” and amid numerous human rights abuses.

“The administration has decided to lift the holds on security assistance to the Bahrain Defense Force and National Guard that were implemented following Bahrain’s crackdown on demonstrations in 2011,” the US State Department’s John Kirby said in a statement.