‘Yemen Rebels Claim Drone Attacks on Saudi Oil Facility’ ‘Drone strikes knock out half of Saudi oil capacity’
Saudi Arabian oil facilities were attacked by drones that look to have been sent by Iranian-backed supporters in Yemen:
Yemen Rebels Claim Drone Attacks on Saudi Oil Facility, Field
September 14, 2019
Drones claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco early Saturday, sparking a huge fire at a plant crucial to global energy supplies. It wasn’t clear if there were any injuries in the attacks in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field, nor what effect it would have on oil production in the kingdom. The attack also likely will heighten tensions further across the wider Persian Gulf amid a confrontation between the U.S. and Iran over its unraveling nuclear deal with world powers. The Houthis are backed by Tehran amid a yearslong Saudi-led war against them in Yemen.
Online videos apparently shot in Buqyaq included the sound of gunfire in the background. Smoke rose over the skyline and glowing flames could be seen a distance away at the Abqaiq oil processing facility. The fires began after the sites were “targeted by drones,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It said an investigation into the attack was underway. …
Targets in the past
Militants have targeted the plant in the past. Al-Qaida-claimed suicide bombers tried but failed to attack the oil complex in February 2006. The Khurais oil field is believed to produce more than 1 million barrels of crude oil a day. It has estimated reserves of more than 20 billion barrels of oil, according to Aramco. There was no immediate impact on global oil prices as markets were closed for the weekend across the world. Benchmark Brent crude had been trading at just above $60 a barrel. Buqyaq is about 330 kilometers (205 miles) northeast of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
… suspicion immediately fell on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
A Saudi-led coalition has been battling the rebels since March 2015. The Iranian-backed Houthis hold Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other territory in the Arab world’s poorest country. The war has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The violence has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine and killed more than 90,000 people since 2015, according to the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED, which tracks the conflict. Since the start of the Saudi-led war, Houthi rebels have been using drones in combat. The first appeared to be off-the-shelf, hobby-kit-style drones. Later, versions nearly identical to Iranian models turned up. Iran denies supplying the Houthis with weapons, although the U.N., the West and Gulf Arab nations say Tehran does. The rebels have flown drones into the radar arrays of Saudi Arabia’s Patriot missile batteries, according to Conflict Armament Research, disabling them and allowing the Houthis to fire ballistic missiles into the kingdom unchallenged.
The Houthis launched drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s crucial East-West Pipeline in May as tensions heightened between Iran and the U.S. In August, Houthi drones struck Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil field, which produces about 1 million barrels of crude oil a day near its border with the United Arab Emirates. U.N. investigators said the Houthis’ new UAV-X drone, found in recent months during the Saudi-led coalition’s war in Yemen, likely has a range of up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). That puts the far reaches of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in range. https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/yemen-rebels-claim-drone-attacks-saudi-oil-facility-field
14 September 2019
Drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels caused major fires at two of Saudi Aramco’s critical oil facilities, the kingdom’s Interior Ministry said Saturday. …
On the Houthi’s Al-Masirah satellite news channel, military spokesman Yahia Sarie said the Iran-aligned rebels had launched 10 drones in a coordinated attack on the oil facilities in response to the Saudi-led war against rebel areas in Yemen. …
Tensions in the Persian Gulf have skyrocketed since May when the United States demanded buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases or face sanctions as part of Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord last year. Iran responded by saying that if it could not export oil, then nor could any other country in the region. Riyadh and Washington have blamed Iran for a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, and in June Iran downed a US drone. https://www.dw.com/en/drone-attacks-set-saudi-aramco-oil-facilities-ablaze/a-50430391
There are several issues with this.
The first is to mention that there is a severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen that the proxy-war between Iran and Saudi Arabia have worsened (e.g. see Food politics and the death of 50,000 Yemeni children and Yemen famine and USA ‘polio’).Pray for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).
Another thing to mention related to drone strikes is that back in 2011, Iran captured a US RQ-170 Sentinel drone. And on 10 December 2011, Iran announced that it intended to carry out reverse engineering on it to make its own. Presumably Iran provided some drones in Yemen. Another to mention is that Iran is upset with the USA regarding the sanctions. As it gets more desperate, look to it and/or its proxies to take more militaristic action. Iran has made various threats against the USA.
While Iran could be devastated by a war with the USA, it is not that the USA could not be damaged. Furthermore, Iran has often made threats against Israel, and the Bible indicates that it will one day cause great damage to Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:1-14).
Now, Iran has a lot of nuclear materials and could at least now produce what is called a ‘dirty bomb.” A “dirty bomb” is one where radioactive materials are placed inside a conventional bomb. The resultant explosion would contaminate an area and make it radioactively dangerous. Many also believe that Iran is close to producing not just the possibility of dirty bombs, but actual nuclear bombs. Iran having drone stealth technology puts the USA, Israel, and others at risk of being attacked with nuclear explosions. This could very well happen.
Furthermore, another way that Iran could inflict major damage to the USA would be an effective use of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons. Iran is believed to have that capability.
An EMP attack by Iran, in the proper locations, could greatly affect Israel, the USA, or even Europe. Having a stealth drone could make this a reality. Iran test-fired a missile last Summer that was believed to be capable of delivering an emp bomb. Thus, Iran probably is considering multiple ways of employing them. Power transformers in the USA (and elsewhere) are at risk from emp bombs and this could cause major economic and other damage to the USA. Such emp weapons, however, have never been used large scale, so precisely what would happen is subject to debate. But the reality is that emp weapons, as well as solar flares which have similar potential, are threats to the USA, its defenses, and its economy.
The USA, despite its military strength, is vulnerable to being hurt by EMP weapons as well as nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, dirty bombs, terrorism, and biological weapons that Iran and/or its ally Syria possess. It has been shown in a test that EMPs can basically work as advertised, and this may give the Iranians more reason to look further into using them if they feel pressed.
As far as Iran itself goes, while it wants to lead all of Islam, it will fail in that objective — the Bible points to an Arabic power doing that in Daniel 11:40-43. Because of that, I have long felt that it may be that Iran would be ‘neutralized’ before the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40) rises up.
Iran could be neutralized by internal unrest or other matters. On the other hand, if it employs, or attempts to employ, certain weapons of mass destruction, it may well cause Israel, the USA, and/or others to turn on it and destroy aspects of its military capability.
“Neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Syria might not do well per Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied King of the South to rise up.
The top leadership of Iran has a Shi’ite Muslim agenda, which they have concluded includes causing chaos and war.
I, for one, do not believe that Iran’s leaders have given up on their goals of Islamic domination–and they do want weapons of mass destruction. But if they significantly act militarily with them (cf. Isaiah 22:1-14), it ultimately will not turn our well for Iran (e.g. Jeremiah 49:34-38).
Today’s drone attacks from Yemen seem consistent with Iran’s goals.
Update 1:22 pm PST. CNN reported the following:
Drone strikes knock out half of Saudi oil capacity, 5 million barrels a day
September 14, 2019
Drone strikes on crucial Saudi Arabian oil facilities have disrupted about half of the kingdom’s oil capacity, or 5% of the daily global oil supply, people with knowledge of Saudi’s oil operations told CNN Business.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday took responsibility for the attacks, saying 10 drones targeted state-owned Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, according to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah news agency. Five million barrels per day of crude production have been impacted after fires raged at the sites, one of them the world’s largest oil production facility, people with knowledge of the kingdom’s operations said. The latest OPEC figures from August 2019 put the total Saudi production at 9.8 million barrels per day. A source told CNN Business that Aramco “hopes to have that capacity restored within days.” https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/14/business/saudi-oil-output-impacted-drone-attack/index.html
Certainly Iran would be interested in something like knocking out lots of Saudi Arabia’s capacity.
Iran will one day find it has pushed itself too hard (cf. Jeremiah 49:34-38).
Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran In Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria.
Electrical End of the USA? Could problems with the electrical power grid caused by one or more electromagnetic pulse bombs, solar flares, and/or other phenomena help weaken the USA to the point of allowing it to be taken over? Does such potential exist? If so, is this consistent with any biblical prophecies? What are some of the severe consequences that the USA would face in the event of a electrical power grid failure? Is there evidence in scripture that the USA will be taken over in the 21st century? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam. The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation. How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2019, 2020, or 2021? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2018 o 2019? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter and newer video is: Might the Great Tribulation start in 2019?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West. World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Syria and the start of World War 3 On April 14, 2018, Syrians were awoken by the sounds of about 120 missiles/bombs sent against areas of their country. The United States of America, United Kingdom, and France launched this attack related to claims of chemical weapons use earlier that week. Will Syria’s capital one day be destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah chapter 17? If so, could this be before the start of the Great Tribulation? Are there prophecies about Syrians and the UK and USA? Is this attack against Syria leading to WWIII between the USA/UK/France and Russia/Syria/Iran? Is there an Arabic power that will rise up and be destroyed before the Great Tribulation as Tim McHyde has written related to Psalm 83? Is Ezekiel 38/39 about to be fulfilled? Who is the biblical King of the North and the biblical King of the South? Will the Beast power destroy the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (like the UK, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand)? Could this be WWIII and the start of the Great Tribulation? What is the prophetic sequence of events according to Jesus and Daniel the prophet? Dr. Thiel addresses all of these matters and more. This is a video.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic? Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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