In the war between the US and Iran, America’s weapons have been spent. Additionally, US infrastructure in the Arab world was damaged. But, the fire of this fight did not reach American soil. Even if the US recovers from these losses in a few years, the fire that Iran has set in Arabia will neither be extinguished nor will it be cured for many years to come. On the contrary, Iran’s anger on this front has created a powder keg that can bring the entire world to the brink of economic ruin.
This “pile of gunpowder” includes Iran’s proxy organizations, which are pursuing the mission of driving the US out of the Arab region and forcing the Arab countries to bow before Iran. By breaking the peace of ceasefire, Trump has provoked Iran so much that even if the US has stopped its bombing. But Iran has decided to prolong the war indefinitely. Even though the US is not directly involved in this fight, Iran has opened a front with the aim of reducing the Arab region to ashes.
The strategy which this area was afraid of, has now been implemented on the ground. Iran has activated its dangerous proxy. On one hand, Yemen’s Houthi fighters have started attacking, while on the other hand, Iraqi rebels are preparing to turn the Arab area into a ball of fire.
Houthis target Aramco
The proof of this is the attack on Saudi Arabia, which is an important ally of America. The Houthis targeted Aramco, the world’s largest oil refinery, the backbone of Saudi Arabia. Their drone strikes set the refinery on fire, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. At the same time, suicide drones attacked a US military base in Iraq. In fact, Iran has woven a complex web from the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, in which America is trapped.
Modern Bayraktar Akıncı drone shot down
However, Saudi Arabia also claimed that some drones launched by the Houthis were successfully neutralized. The extent of damage caused to Saudi Arabia can be gauged from the burning refinery and the rising smoke. Meanwhile, the Houthis have made a shocking claim that they have shot down a Saudi drone flying over Al-Jawf province. Especially, a modern Bayraktar Akinci drone. Additionally, Houthi rebels have begun targeting ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait to block Saudi Arabia’s exports via the Red Sea. The data related to this has created a sensation all over the world.
Number of ships lowest after Houthi attacks
Following the Houthi attacks, the number of ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has dropped to an all-time low. On Sunday, only 11 cargo ships passed through the strait, indicating that the Houthis have begun to block global supply chains. The first step of this strategy was to impose a blockade to evacuate the ports, while the second included attacking the backbone of the Saudi economy. Let us see how much loss Saudi Arabia has suffered in this attack.
Smoke was seen rising from the storage tank area
The Aramco oil refinery targeted by Houthi rebels is the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s economy. This is one of the largest oil refineries not only in the Arab world but also in the entire world, which is spread over a large area in many parts. Due to state-of-the-art engineering, the main section of the refinery is in the middle and is reported to have remained safe during the attack. However, smoke was seen rising from the storage tank area, covering a large part of the site.
Repair of damaged parts is still a risk
Reports suggest that smoke is also rising over the main pipeline area of the refinery, although the common utility area appears to be safe, and the export jetty zone is also said to be safe. Nevertheless, it is being said that the attack has had some impact on oil production. Repairing damaged parts remains a risk, suggesting that oil processing operations could be halted for a long time. Through these attacks, Iran has shown that its proxy organizations are targeting not only US bases and the economies of allied countries but also its enemies.
Iran created global crisis
This sends the message that the real power in West Asia lies with the Iranian fighters on the ground. The strategic web that Iran has woven is creating a global crisis. Its first gateway opens into the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC has significantly increased the number of sea mines previously laid in the outbound lane and separation zone area. Additionally, Iran has extended its underwater mines to the inbound lane. This is an area which is under US blockade due to which this lane has also been effectively blocked.
Saudi oil pipeline also blocked
Iran had already blocked the separation zone, and its control over the outbound lanes has created a strategic trap. The second gateway to Iran’s trap is in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which is now completely under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis, who have completely blocked the strait. It is not just shipping traffic that has stopped. The Houthis have also blocked the Saudi oil pipeline on this end of the Red Sea. Additionally, Houthi fighters have taken control of the entire Red Sea, and their threat has frightened many people in the region.
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