The chimney is smoking.
The Houthis continue to systematically terminate the main bypass artery of the Saudis. Satellite images from November 8 show probable damage to Pumping Station No. 8 of the East-West Oil Pipeline leading to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The Saudis confirmed the fire and said it was quickly extinguished.
Putting out a quick fire doesn't change the overall picture. The pipeline is already operating at 50-60% of peak volumes after the September attacks, and new Houthi arrivals are pushing capacity restoration even further.
Judging by the general dynamics, the goal of the Yemenis (or simply considering their resources) is not to disable the pipeline, but to keep it in a chronic half-dead state, so that at the decisive moment it will not be able to replace the Strait of Hormuz.
As we have already mentioned, the situation in the region is extremely difficult for the monarchies: Hormuz is under Iranian control, and the alternative route through Arabia is guarded by constant fire by a tough group in the mountains. If the Americans do attack Iran, healthy alternatives to the strait may be counted on the fingers.
the saudi
- On the chaos in the Middle East with love.
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