Saudi Arabia’s oil supply majorly hit by drone attacks at Aramco’s oil facilities
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, in a telephonic conversation with the President of United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump on Saturday, September 14, 2019, has said that Saudi Arabia is willing and able to respond the recent drone attacks on its oil facilities.
He was referring to the recent drone attacks at 2 of the State-owned Aramco’s oil facilities, which resulted in fire and impacted the global oil supply.
The Crown Prince told Trump, “The kingdom is willing and able to confront and deal with this terrorist aggression.”
The facilities targeted are based at Abqaiq, the world’s largest oil processing complex and Khurais, a major oilfield. The attacks disrupted the Saudi Arabia’s crude oil supply by 5.7 million barrels per day, which is 50% of its output. The attack comes at a time when Aramco Group is preparing for its Initial Public Offering. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has claimed the responsibility of the attack. The Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-UAE-led coalition in an ongoing civil war in Yemen since 2015. The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen is investigating the matter.
During the call, Trump said that the attacks have hurt the U.S. and global economies. According to a media statement by the Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in U.S., Trump has assured Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia of cooperation in protecting the former’s security.
A statement from the White House Deputy Press Secretary – Judd Deere read, “The United States strongly condemns today’s attack on critical energy infrastructure. Violent actions against civilian areas and infrastructure vital to the global economy only deepen conflict and mistrust. The U.S. remains committed to ensuring global oil markets are stable and well supplied.”
Pompeo blames Iran for the attacks
The U.S. Secretary of State – Mike Pompeo has blamed the Islamic Republic of Iran for the attacks. He dismissed the claims of Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
He tweeted, “Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
He further tweeted, “We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks. The United States will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression.”
We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks. The United States will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
Pompeo claimed that if the rebels had deployed the drones from Yemen, they would have to have flown hundreds of miles. However, he didn’t provide any evidence to prove his claims.
Iran refutes the charges
Challenging the claims of Mike Pompeo, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman of Iran – Abbas Mousavi said in a statement, “Such fruitless and blind accusations and remarks are incomprehensible and meaningless.”
He accused U.S. of adopting a policy whereby they exert maximum pressure on Iran. He also said that the attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil field is an outcome of ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
The attacks will grow: Houthi
The Military Spokesman of Houthi – Yahya Sarea told al-Masirah TV that attacks on Saudi Arabia will “only grow wider and will be more painful than before, so long as their aggression and blockade continues.” For the records, al-Masirah TV is owned by the Houthi group and is based in Beirut.
This is the biggest attack undertaken by Houthi’s in Saudi Arabia.
What’s wrong between Saudi Arabia and Yemen?
Saudi Arabia led an intervention, with 9 countries from Middle East and Africa, in Yemen in 2015. It was in response to calls from the internationally recognized pro-Saudi President of Yemen – Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The President of Yemen had requested for military support after he was ousted by the Houthi movement due to economic and political grievances. He then fled to Saudi Arabia.
The intervention is said to be in compliance with Article 2(4) of the United Nations (U.N.) Charter. The intervention initially consisted of a bombing Houthi rebels and later saw a naval blockade and the deployment of ground forces into Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition has attacked the positions of the Houthi militia, and loyalists of the former President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is allegedly supported by Iran.
