A few interesting news items
WASHINGTON: President Obama has authorized U.S. logistical and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia as it launches airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.Saudi Arabia began the airstrikes Wednesday night. The Houthi rebels reported firing anti-aircraft missiles as jets struck a military base in Yemen's capital. The Saudi government says nine other countries have joined its military operation but that the U.S. is not among them.In a statement Wednesday night, a White House official says the U.S. is coordinating U.S. military and intelligence support with Saudi Arabia. National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan says the U.S. isn't taking direct military action in Yemen but did consult with the Saudis.
Saudi Arabia has 150,000 troops for Yemen operation-Arabiya TV
Saudi Arabia is contributing 100 warplanes and 150,000 soldiers to the military operation in Yemen, al-Arabiya television reported on Thursday.Planes from Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain are also taking part in the operation, it said. Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan and Sudan are ready to participate in a ground offensive, the broadcaster said
Egypt is sending ShipsEgypt warships head to Gulf of Aden; Sudan to take part in Operation Storm of Resolve
Egyptian warships en route to secure Gulf of Aden;
Images from Yemen- Obviously the intelligence supplied by the US is allowing the GCC allies to strike and kill civiliansA Houthi fighter walks at the site of an air strike at a residential area near Sanaa AirportPeople search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by an air strike near Sanaa Airport March 26Rebels known as Al Houthis are advancing on AdenPeople uncover the body of a man from under the rubble of a house destroyed by an air strike near Sanaa AirportChina a big buyer of Yemen oil as export risks rise
Oil supplies in Yemen had already been disrupted by conflict.Yemeni oil flows through the Marib pipeline, its main export route, at a rate of around 70,000 barrels per day (bpd). Before a series of attacks by tribesmen began against it three years ago, the pipeline carried around 110,000 barrels per day to Ras Isa, an export terminal on the Red Sea. Tribal conflicts and al Qaeda insurgency are disrupting oil and gas exports in other parts of the economy.Saudi Arabia has warned foreign ships from approaching Yemeni ports which could cut the Middle East producer's crude exports.China's crude imports from Yemen in the first two months this year were 4.5 mln bbls, up 315 per cent from the same period a year ago.
Isn't that interesting that as the Houthis filled the void left by the quitter government- China increased their crude imports from Yemem by 315 percent?Are interested parties attempting to deny China access to crude? It sure looks that way! From earlier today: