Claims and accusations surround the Saudi oil facility attack, but the evidence is lacking

Steven Sahiounie, Middle East observer

The attack

Two oil refineries belonging to Saudi Aramco, Abqaiq, and Khurais, were attacked by drones and missiles on September 14, with damage so severe that the country’s crude output was essentially cut in half.

Dozens of drones and missiles flew low to the ground on their way to cutting into the heart of the Saudi oil industry.   The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks and have presented their evidence in a televised press briefing; however, Saudi and US officials have claimed Iran is responsible.  Saudi Arabia and the US are partners in the war on Yemen, one of the poorest countries on earth.

Why didn’t the air defenses work?

“You know, we don’t have an unblinking eye over the entire Middle East at all times,” Marine Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters near London.

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