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Saudi Arabia says drone attacks knocked out half its oil supply

35 Comments
By JON GAMBRELL

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Whoever is responsible, this isn't good because it's another excuse that can be used for the US to attack Iran.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

They raise concerns about the global oil supply 

Sounds like another reason global big oil will use to justify raising prices.

What will higher oil prices do to Trump's economy. Will he spend more money subsidizing defense industries and other corporations (especially those he has shares in) to fuhrer goose-step the economy?

The Arab/Persian Gulf has numerous refineries, power generation facilities and desalination plants, each critical to maintaining life there, each vulnerable to attack. Shipments of oil and gas anywhere in the Gulf are vulnerable to attacks.

likely will further increase tensions across the - Gulf

And will put millions of lives at risk in the Gulf region, throughout the middle east, and possibly around the world.

Until the globe reduces the amount of oil it burns, until more alternatives are used instead of burning so much oil, until people consume fewer resources and less oil, expect wars for oil to continue. And climate change related problems to increase.

The only ones to benefit are the global masters of war, big oil, and their financiers.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

You reap what you sow.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Pompeo would blame Iran if he got constipation or even a rash in his nether regions.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

who desperately wants the war? Israel

who desperately wants to spike up the oil price? Russia, as its economy is collapsing under the sanction.

and not so coincidently both happen to have the capability to execute attack with drones

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The Houthi intelligentsia are renowned throughout the world for their combination of learned science and financial acumen. It’s hardly remarkable that they’ve been able to parlay this into cutting edge technological prowess that we are seeing here.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Best to leave other people's civil wars alone. After all these years, and all that death, I wonder just how much Saudi's are now regretting getting involved? They still got the best of it though. Unlike so many Yemeni, they are still alive to have regrets.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Literally everyone in the region has some motive to set Saudi oil supplies on fire (including the Saudis themselves).

The Houtis as part of the war. The Saudis to justify their intervention in Yemen. Iran to support the Houtis and reduce global supply to justify more sanctions waivers. Bahrain to get revenge over last year's blockade. ISIS, Al-Qaida for religious reasons. Israel to frame Iran and get US to intervene. Russia to spike oil prices to help their own oil based economy. Syria for revenge against funding the rebels... the list is basically endless. What a neighbourhood.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Iranian-backed Houthis, who hold Yemen's capital, Sanaa

Life must really suck in Sanaa.

So, even with the U.S. sanctions crippling Iran's economy, they still have money for the Houthis.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Like Lamilly said,

And Trump/USA because they export oil by now.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/imports-and-exports.php

Check the graph which shows net imports have receded below net exports since 2015.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

While the Saudis are far from sweet innocent characters, this particular dose of instability and civil war is directly ascribable to the Iranian government arming the rebels. Without that initial stimulus the war would not have happened.

Israel has no strategic benefit from creating yet more instability and terrorist organisations in the region, they have enough already.

The simplistic knee jerk reaction of blaming the Israelis or some amorphous undefined “global masters of war” are troublingly reminiscent of the Jew bating and nonsensical propaganda against international finance (Jewish) conspiracies from before the 1st world war through to the Nazi era and we all know how that little bout of fake news, conspiracy theories and ignorant hysteria ended up.

The situation in the Middle East is complex and no one is helped to understand it by simplistic reference to blaming your pet hates.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I wonder what kind of drones are used in these attacks? Anyone know?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Burning down the Saudi oil facilities is the best cure for their aggression. Good move. And a good use of drones.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

chipstar:

Whoever is responsible, this isn't good because it's another excuse that can be used for the US to attack Iran.

Surprisingly, you have a point there. Count your blessings it is Trump in the white house, and not a warmonger like Clinton, in which case you probably already be embroiled in another stupid and criminal military adventure.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@ClippetyClop

I wonder what kind of drones are used in these attacks? Anyone know?

Highly likely it was this type:

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2019/08/long-range-attack-on-saudi-oil-field-ends-war-on-yemen.html

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Saudis have caused the deaths of over 100,000 Yemeni civilians. Is it any wonder that Yemen forces would want to strike back? Did Saudi Arabia think that they could attack their neighbor, and not suffer any consequences?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

1glenn:

Saudis have caused the deaths of over 100,000 Yemeni civilians. Is it any wonder that Yemen forces would want to strike back?

There is no such thing as "Yemen forces". This is a war between Sunni and Shia, which involves Yemen and Saudi, and in fact the whole area. And by implication the whole world. CNN et al never explain this background, so their viewership remains in the dark.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@Asakaze, thanks for that, good info. I probably should have read the article properly first.

For some reason I imagined a bloke standing outside the refinery with a DJI model and a block of C4 taped to the underside. Seems now they have some proper kit.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@ClippetyClop

You're welcome.

Yes, the Houthi seem to be surprisingly tech-savvy for a ragtag militia. A couple of years ago they damaged a Saudi Navy frigate with a high-speed self-detonating speedboat, then heavily damaged a high-speed troopship with an antiship missile. Very ingenuous and determined guys.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The US blames Iran but with zero proof. The US sells arms to maybe over 60% of the worlds nations, so it can hardly point fingers at Iran selling arms to Yemen rebels.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Can't the Saudis handle this problem?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Can't the Saudis handle this problem?

They have Invested a huge amount of weaponry and finance and are basically losing badly.

Their officers are, in large part, appointed and promoted by who they are or who they know. The grunts on the ground are capable but unmotivated Pakistani mercenaries.

So, no they can’t handle this problem of their own making.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Here's more about that sort of Houthi drone: https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/how-yemen-s-iran-backed-rebels-weaponized-drones-against-saudi-arabia-1.7271998

They have manufacturing capabilities locally.

Scaling up a model RC plane isn't that hard, especially when someone with more airfoil, motor, and remote communications technology helps. Cough - like Iran. It could be simply that plans were shared or even news photos could provide a significant lead for better design choices.

If propellers are used, things are much easier with just a basic knowledge of aircraft design. My team of 3 people flew model aircraft that we designed in a subsonic wind tunnel at my college for our senior projects. With a $20 GPS capability, radio communications wouldn't be necessary for navigation or targeting. I have a GPS device from 2008 that would easily connect to any sort of $50 computer and solve the navigation issues within about 3m. Battery power for each by a $20 L-Ion USB recharging pak would work for 8 hrs or so.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

All of America's Axis in the region desperately need Iran to be forced into subservience.

But they also all know that their regimes are unlikely to survive if any of them starts a hot war with Iran, so they've all invested a lot of money and time hiring as many of the true setters of American policy, lobbyists, as they can, to get the US to do it for them.

Their problem is that, whatever America's military career politicians say publicly, the American military is pretty certain that not only would they not win such a war and force Iran into subservience, all their Axis partners wouldn't survive it, and the US dominance in the region would disappear right along with its extensive network of military bases.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's a excuse for S.A's continuing its unjust and destabilizing war against Yemen.

The war that has created a humanitarian disaster. For no good reason, other than power politics.

For those of you who don't know, btw, humanitarian crisis or disaster is just a sanitized way of saying lots and lots of innocent people suffering and dying for no good reason.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Asakaze:

Yes, the Houthi seem to be surprisingly tech-savvy for a ragtag militia.

Maybe ragtag if you say so, but they are supported by Iran, so they have technology and info.

Again, this is a power playby between Sunni Saudi and Shia Iran, both of who want to dominate the region. But don´t expect CNN to explain that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's no good attacking on Oil production. The Gasoline price was already increased in yesterday. The Iranian regime will sell Oil in the black market at high prices.

Huthi rebel does not have the money and technology for producing UAV-X drone. Perhaps, the Iranian regime has supplied parts and assembly in Huthi rebel control area.

Iran regime is supporting terrorism around the world. The Iran clergy regime is using oil money to supporting Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah Militia in Lebanon and Huthi in Yemen as well as Africa and Asia. Also, the regime was oppressing on its citizens. The welfare of Iranian peoples were ignorant and majority of oil income were supporting overseas terrorism network by the Iranian regime.

If an American direct attack on the Iranian clergy regime and then I'll support it, but I will not support attacking of civilians. I'll wait and see whether President Trump has gut to declare war of the Iranian regime or not.

Huthi rebel does not have the money and technology for producing UAV-X drone. Perhaps, the Iranian regime has supplied parts and assembly in Huthi rebel control area. Obviously, Iranian clergy regime was involved in attacking on Saudi oil field.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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