One of the most visible aspects of direct US involvement in the Saudi invasion of Yemen, mid-air refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing the country, has come to an end over the weekend. US and Saudi officials both confirmed this program has halted.
Saudi state media claimed that they made the decision to halt the US support, because they can carry out their own in-air refueling missions now and don’t need the US.
US officials suggested that this was part of a “limited punishment” that the Trump Administration intends to impose over the murder of reporter Jamal Khashoggi.
Defense Secretary James Mattis downplayed the news, however, and made no mention of previous demands for a ceasefire. Instead, he said the US will continue to support the Saudi war in Yemen, and “collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces.”
The timing, however, is telling. This comes just two weeks after the US demanded a halt to Saudi strikes against populated parts of Yemen, and after several subsequent attacks on populated areas killing civilians.
Bullshit. What’s the catch?
I’ll take “Bait and Switch” for $200 Alex…What is lease or sell the equipment to the Saudis, then hire US trained mercenary techs to do the job ?
Really? I doubt it. I’ll bet they make “emergency exceptions” for when the Saudis can’t do it for themselves, and I’ll bet that is rather often. Why? Because they are not going to let those planes crash for lack of fuel, and they are not going to cut off the bombing. American officials have said nothing about forcing it to stop.
Why would they? Saudis are proxies, and they have no choice in the matter. Unless they go for a complete break in relationship, which may not be possible.
Thus is our war. We started it by forcing Hadi on Sana’a government. We care only about controlling ground in Bab Al Mandeb area. Saudis cannot afford being blocked in Red Sea. Saudis are giving us bad mane by — wha I think is — deliberate recklessness. But genicide ir nit, we are not deterred from the goal. Saudis are much better at raising terrorist armies, then in warfare. Hard to see them fight Iran.
Given the proximity of Saudi Arabia to Yemen I never understood KSA’s need for mid-air refueling. It is not like KSA F-15’s were bombing Tunisia like Israel did in 1982. But I guess AIPAC makes sure that the Saudis don’t get the good stuff.
In any event, with $100b in arms sales I expect the Saudis finally purchased some refuelers . So the US-Saudi operation was mainly a demonstration of US support for the Saudi [war][genocide] effort or a demonstration of the incompetence of the Saudi Air Force.
They fly from rather distant bases, because that is where their planes are, and they are not competent to move them around, taking with them the pilots’ luxuries (which Saudis do you think learn to fly?), the mechanics and all their tools and parts, and the fuel and ammo dumps they need. It requires a staffing skill they are especially lacking.
They never bought any actual tankers. At best, they can use buddy packs for limited refueling. That is how the US Navy does it now, since they no longer have dedicated tankers on the carriers. I doubt Saudi competence and equipment for that on any large scale.
Yes, King Khalid Air Base in southwestern Saudi Arabia is home to No. 6 and No. 55 Squadrons RSAF with McDonnell Douglas F-15S Strike Eagles. This base in Khamis Mushait KSA is only about 300 miles from Al Hudaydah, Yemen, easily within F-15 range.
Wouldn’t refueling aid hover time( like, let’s wait til the bus is full) or, aid US electronic surveillance craft ?
It could be that the purpose of the refueling operation was to give the Saudi and UAE air forces training in the skills they will need to attack Iran.
Mix of all. There is no need for refuelling, this is just to kerp our oar in, to have a right to manage it from behind. Typical Obama stuff, hatched during the rule of our favorite, ousted Crown Prince MbNayaf. Ousted in June 2017, the media immediatelly cincocted the story if blaming war on MbS — even though he could do nothing kn his own until he took the reigns of state. It is sll very convenient, to wash hands off war, while still running it. Since MbS was not in it wholeheartedly, Hadi supporters were decjmated in the South, particulartly Aden. How many oeople still believe that UAE and Saudis are in it together? Then why were pro-Hadi generals, party leaders and tribal leaders assasinated throughout South, particularly Aden. And it was US mercenary firm doing it, skirting legal issues by “working” for UAE. Saudis are in a pickle. UAE us pushing aling the coast tiwards Hodeidah. This is the only relevant leftover piece of coast to control of the straights. Notth can hardly defend it, for either Saudis or US/ UAEit will be a slaughter to try taking it outright. Ir Saudis can squeeze daylights out if it — hope Houthis surrender. But US DOES NOT want Houthis to surrender to Saudis, and cut separate deal. MbS tried it already through Russian help, when Houthis agreed. But the person (firmer president Saleh) switched his allegiance to UAE at the last moment, Saudis backed out, Russian Embasy mived out, and Saleh tried to flee to UAE controlled territory, was caught and killed. It turned out — nice UAE prince was holding Saleh’s son hostage. This is what we are dealing with. Now, will Houthis go again snd cut deal with Saudis, kerep UAE and US out of Hodeidah? And once deal us cut, will unhappy US still keep blockade on? Will then Saudis use Hadi as a leverage to oust UAE from Aden? Peace with Houthis wiuld let them do that. But I suspect that US could make Saudii lives very difficult, unless Siudis go into Kashoggi rabbit hole a bit deaper, and uncover some strange foreign fingerprints in what appears to be Saudi Affair.
We can expect anything, except imporovement jn US Saudi relationship. It may come to a temporary equilibrium, but once jnternal struggles in the Kingdom are dealt with, US and UK will lose internal influence. Or, if King does not get consensus to clear things — an uneasy internal stalemate will result.
However, war jn Yemen is an albatross that needs resolving — and there is no way going backwards. And US left no room going forward. This will force normally conservative Council to cut Gordian knot, and somethjng will suffer in order for the solution to emerge.
This is great news. Hopefully this signals the beginning of the end of Washington involvement in this senseless war.
BS!
“Saudi state media claimed that they made the decision to halt the US
support, because they can carry out their own in-air refueling missions
now and don’t need the US.” Soon they won’t need bombs or planes either.
No war can be won using air attacks with conventional weapons, it must be won on the ground. And in Yemen that won’t happen because KSA, UAE and their conscripts are not trained, equipped nor motivated to be successful any more than the Americans have been in several countries. They will fail also.
Just for show. Look, we are doing something!
Probably the lowest the most crass, unintelligent and nerdy political class we ever had in offices. I would almost accept evil — at least it would be clear. But this mixture of fakeness and stupidity that thinks only on the llowest level, heartless and dull — is the worst. Why just not come out and say it as it is — who are they affraid off. Hard to have respect for such twisted minds, soiling our institutions.