Saudi Arabia’s attacks on oil installations have prompted the country to strike back militarily at Yemen and its capital, Sanaa.
The conflict is bogged down, while the United States may no longer be the best mediator since President Biden publicly attacked the Saudi regime.
Saudi attacks on global oil strongholds
Attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia are currently intensifying.
On Sunday, 8 ballistic missiles and 14 bomb-laden drones were launched by the Houthi rebels, a dozen of which were intercepted.
According to the Saudi Minister of Energy, the national company Saudi Aramco saw a residential complex in Dhahran targeted.
Another missile hit an oil park at the Ras Tanoura refinery (550,000 barrels/day).
The city is also home to the world’s main oil export port.
Any repercussions on the oil market?
This repetition of attacks could have an impact on an oil market weakened by the health crisis.
According to Commerzbank, the possibility of damage to Ras Tanura is particularly worrying for the market.
The Saudi economy remains highly dependent on oil exports.
A massive response from Saudi Arabia
The Saudi authorities also accused the Houthis of targeting civilians.
In retaliation, air strikes were carried out on enemy military capabilities.
The Houthi television channel al-Masirah reports at least 7 air strikes on Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia is relying on the Islamic Military Alliance formed at the end of 2015 to put an end to the Houthi rebellion.
The United States mediates the conflict
President Biden wants to disengage from Yemen and position himself as a mediator.
As a first step, the United States has ended its logistical support for Saudi offensives in Yemen.
Washington also froze certain arms sales contracts concluded under the Trump administration.
Finally, President Biden removed the Houthis from the blacklist of terrorist groups to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
According to Annelle Sheline of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft:
“They [Houthis] feel they have the upper hand in the war, and there is little reason to stop the fighting”.
Is the Saudi-American alliance under threat?
Biden’s “values diplomacy” could jeopardize the US-Saudi alliance.
Recent American decisions have the Saudis saying that they have encouraged the Houthis.
Moreover, recently, a secret FBI memo made public holds Mohammed Ben Salman responsible for Khashoggi’s murder.
However, the United States cannot do without an essential ally in its conflict with Iran, which is close to the Houthis.
Impossible peace?
On the ground, fighting remains intense in Yemen’s Ta’izz province.
And in Marib, in the north of the country, the last bastion of government forces.
The conflict, which has already lasted 6 years, is becoming increasingly bogged down, while the world’s leading military power, the United States, seems intent on disengaging from it.
