The country has been experiencing increased tensions with Iran Houthi rebels Yemen and numerous airstrikes on its oil facilities.. The attacks while the situation has been mostly under control so far are a sign of the fragile security situation within the country. Over the years threats and attacks have been directed at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 🔛 🇾🇪 🇮🇷 ️ !
In September 2019, Saudi Arabia experienced one of its most severe attacks!! A drone and cruise missile attack was launched against two major oil facilities owned by state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco in Abqaiq and Khurais, eastern cities with significant damage caused to both facilities; estimates suggest this caused 5. 7 million barrels per day production loss with an estimated loss in oil revenues of over $100 billion.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, though U. S . intelligence officials concluded such an endeavor was beyond their capabilities and suggested Iran may have carried it out; however Tehran has denied any involvement in it 🇮🇷.
This attack was not the only one executed against Saudi Arabia. In May 2019, a coordinated drone attack was launched against the Shaybah oil field. The attack which was claimed by the Houthi rebels caused minor damage. In November 2019, drones, and missiles were also used to attack a military base near Riyadh. The attack was claimed by the Houthi rebels, however, the Saudi government claimed that it was likely carried out by Iran 🇸🇦 🇮🇷.
The Saudi government has blamed Iran for the attacks and has tightened its security measures in response. It possesses increased its military presence around its oil facilities and has also deployed a missile defense system to protect them from future attacks. Aside from that, Saudi Arabia has also increased its naval presence in the region.
It is not clear what the objectives of these attacks are. While some have speculated they are part of an Iranian effort to undermine Saudi Arabia’s oil production it is also possible that the attackers may be interested in sending a message to the Saudi government to reduce its military presence in Yemen 🇸🇦 🇾🇪 ️. Regardless of what the motives of the attackers are, the escalation in tensions, and the threat of further attacks have created a precarious situation in the Middle East.
In order to reduce tensions Saudi Arabia has reached out to other countries in the region as Qatar and Oman to form a coalition to defend itself from future attacks 🇸🇦 🇶🇦 🇴🇲 ️. The alliance also aims to deescalate the conflict in Yemen, which has become a proxy battlefield between Saudi Arabia and Iran 🇸🇦 🇮🇷 ️.
The security circumstance in Saudi Arabia remains uncertain 🇸🇦. It is likely that more attacks will take location in the future and the nation should get ready for them. The Saudi federal government needs to continue to strengthen its security measures and build collaborations with other countries in the region in order to protect itself from more attacks 🇸🇦. . .
🇸🇦 🔛 🇴🇲 ️ 🇾🇪 🇮🇷 2️⃣ 🇶🇦 1️⃣
