Tension increases in the Middle East following Houthi attack on Saudi Arabian oil projects

Dubai: – International repercussions are being felt because of the attack on the Saudi Arabian oil project at Riyadh by the Houthi rebels from Yemen. The United States, too, has condemned the attacks on the Saudi Arabian oil projects. Whereas, Adel al-Jubair, Saudi Minister of state for foreign affairs, accused Iran of behind these attacks, launched by the Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) denounced the attacks on Saudi Arabia and demanded that the international community should take action against this. But the confidence of the Houthi rebels, who have been omitted from the list of terrorist organisations by the United States, has increased tremendously, and the indications are that the attacks on Saudi Arabia will not stop.

Jalina Porter, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, said, ‘The Houthi rebels have accepted the responsibility of the attack on Saudi Arabia. This is a severe matter.’ Porter said, ‘Attempt is being made to disrupt the global oil supply by attacking the Saudi Arabian oil projects. These attacks, which threaten the lives of employees working in the projects and the people around the project, are a cause for concern.’

Although the United States is expressing concerns over the attacks, it has not indicated taking any action against the Houthi rebels. After taking over the reins of the United States, the administration of President Biden took an important decision to omit the Houthi rebels from the list of terrorist organisations. Thereafter, the incidence of attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Houthi rebels has increased. After taking over as the President, Joe Biden had taken a decision not to hold discussions with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Biden also delayed the discussions with Saudi King Salman. Talks had started that President Biden is delivering a message to Saudi Arabia.

It is being said that the soft stand adopted by the Biden administration is only to deliver jolts to Saudi Arabia. Reports had been published that Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed under instructions from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is being claimed that the Biden administration will soon target Crown Prince Salman over this issue. Against this background, the soft stand adopted by the Biden administration is apparently a part of anti-Saudi Arabian diplomacy of the United States.

Saudi Arabia and its supporting countries have formed a front against these attacks. Saudi Arabia had launched an attack on Yemen in 2015. The front formed by Saudi Arabia and its allies started these attacks after Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi’s supporters took over Yemen. Nearly 130,000 casualties, including 12,000 civilians, have been reported in conflict continuing to date. A major humanitarian crisis has been created in Yemen due to this conflict. The Houthi rebels are assisted by Iran against the front formed by Saudi Arabia and its supporting countries. Therefore, it is being revealed that the conflict between the Saudi Arabian front and Houthi rebels is an indirect war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

After the change of guard in the United States, the strength of Houthi rebels and Iran has increased significantly. The United States has refused to supply advanced weapons to Saudi Arabia, carrying out attacks on Yemen. Simultaneously, the Biden administration has clearly indicated that it is not with Saudi Arabia by removing the Houthi rebels from the list of terrorist organisations. In this scenario, the eyes of the entire world are focused on Saudi Arabia’s reaction and its allies regarding the Houthi attacks. This is because these attacks on the Saudi Arabian oil projects can have a telling effect on the international oil rates.