A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
The reference provided specifically says that the claim cannot be proven. No video, dates not provided, etc etc.
So maybe, maybe not. I imagine those of a conspiratorial bent will have a good time with it though.
adam2 wrote:
If true, that sounds like a significant setback for KSA and increases the risk of a wider war.
An important conditional. And WAR increases the risk of wider war, detail is interesting or amusing sometimes, but the real issue is once you begin one, who knows where it ends up.
later reports cast doubts as to the veracity of the Houthi claims, suggesting that the numbers reported as being captured or killed have been exaggerated.
Despite this it seems that something out of the ordinary is underway.
It seems beyond doubt that SOME KSA troops have been killed and others captured, even if the initial reports over reported the numbers.
It is beyond reasonable doubt that a Royal body guard IS dead of gunshot wounds.
Pictures clearly show a major fire at or near a main railway station in SA.
ReserveGrowthRulz wrote:
The reference provided specifically says that the claim cannot be proven. No video, dates not provided, etc etc.
Nope - there are links on the Moon of Alabama blog that were released by Houthi media.
What they do confirm is that KSA forces did lose men and equipment but they are NOT independent verification of the actual casualty list.
What should also be noted is that there are a large number of mercenary forces that serve in KSA armed forces - the army appears to have large contingents from either Sudan or Somalia. It is amongst these that bore the brunt of the fighting, in all probability.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
adam2 wrote:later reports cast doubts as to the veracity of the Houthi claims, suggesting that the numbers reported as being captured or killed have been exaggerated.
Say it ain't so!! Sort of like Baghdad Bob, except less well dressed?
adam2 wrote:
Despite this it seems that something out of the ordinary is underway.
It seems beyond doubt that SOME KSA troops have been killed and others captured, even if the initial reports over reported the numbers.
War is happening, and war is generally out of the ordinary indeed. Once a war is going, anything is possible, legal and not a surprise. Hence the enthusiasm demonstrated by some towards it as a fundamentally defining human behavior. I am referring to Patton of course.
What is interesting is that of the electronic warfare measures the Houthis used to deter the Saudis from using its overwhelming airpower to the theatre in any meaningful way. Particularly as the battle itself lasted for 3 days.
Houthi forces employed drones, missiles, anti-aircraft systems, as well as electronic warfare to prevent the Saudis from supporting their troops with aviation or other means to assist their trapped men. Testimony from Saudi soldiers suggest that efforts to rescue them were half-hearted and of little effect. Saudi prisoners of war accuse their military leaders of having left them prey to their opponents.
The House of Saud was built on sand and it appears that sand is now shifting
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
The possibility of MbS being bypassed in the succession process has increased following some catastrophic blunders:
Three of the clown prince's major projects have failed. On top of that comes the reputational damage that the murder, on MbS' order, of Jamal Khashoggi caused. That the Saudi king has now taken steps to limit the overall damage may have come through the influence of Muhammad bin Salman's younger brother, Khalid bin Salman. KbS had been the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Since February 2019 he is the Deputy Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia. He was involved in the talks with the Houthi. It is possible that the king will finally recognize that MbS is not good enough for his job and that Khalid may a better successor to the throne than his brother Mohammad.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
"Three senior members of Saudi Royal family detained" Possibly the crown prince trying to assert his control and deal with dissenting voices.
The recent substantial fall in oil prices cant be helping stability in KSA, all those princelings and other hangers on that need supporting in the style to which they have become accustomed, but on a significantly reduced oil income.
Not just the decline of the oil price that is hurting KSA. The Covid-19 pandemic causing pilgrimages to be cancelled and the disastrous war in Yemen that is still being pursued are all dragging on the economy and making MBS many enemies within the House of Saud.
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accused of sending a hit-squad to Canada in order to kill a former Saudi intelligence official.
The failed plan to kill Saad al-Jabri was soon after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, court documents filed in the US allege.
Mr Jabri, a veteran of the government of Saudi Arabia, fled into exile three years ago.
He has been under private security protection in Toronto since.
The alleged plot failed after Canadian border agents became suspicious of the hit-squad as they attempted to enter the country at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, court documents say.
BritDownUnder wrote:Looks like the Wahabbis have got some Uranium 'yellowcake extraction' technology from China.
Gawd 'elp all of us!
They need it for the peaceful production of nuclear power when the oil runs out next year!
And the Chinese will do anything to gain preferential rights to purchase oil when scarcity hits. Mind you, I wonder if they have the technicians or technology in place to shut down production should they so wish.
