Warzone/The Drive: Houthi Rebels Trounce Saudi Force Amid Concerns Over The Kingdom's Military Competence
A top U.S. Army advisor to the Saudis had previously described high casualty rates and a worrying lack of capacity in the country's National Guard.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have released video footage that they say is from a recent major battle with Saudi Arabian forces that resulted in hundreds of Saudi casualties and the capture of many more, along with the seizure of vast array of vehicles and other weapons and equipment. The Houthi's specific claims cannot be independently verified and follow questionable assertions from the group about its involvement in recent unprecedented attacks on key pieces of Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure. However, the disclosure does come nearly two years after a senior U.S. military advisor publicly highlighted worryingly high casualty rates and poor training and sustainment practices within the Saudi Arabian National Guard, specifically, which appears to have been involved in this particular incident.
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WNU Editor: A sobering read. Saudi Arabia has spent tens of billions on weapons systems, but it appears that they have ignored spending money on the more basic stuff, as well as providing the necessary training. Bottom line. If Saudi Arabia has trouble waging war against the Houthis, they will definitely not be up to the task if they waqe war against more formidable opponent, like the Iranians.
Some years ago the Saudis were making noise about buying Burke Class DDG's. The first question that came to mind was, who the heck was going to operate them?
ReplyDeleteNational guard, like the U. S National guard or U. K T. A would fare much better.
ReplyDeletePretty embarrassing. But the Saudis have had an easy life for a long time sitting on so much oil and everyone needing it. This changed a lot with the US now being the biggest oil producers in the world. Sure the Saudis are still needed, but they have to pay for protection now. Either that or they fight their own wars. And in 50-100 years, perhaps earlier if a technological breakthrough appears - which very well might be - oil dependence will shrink a lot. I know about the forecasts of fossil fuel but they're not including the hard to predict disruptive nature of technological breakthroughs in energy. So the Saudis need to divest and divest fast. That's why they just signed $100bn deal with India to divest their economy. Just oil and tourism won't be enough. Especially if war breaks out and much of their oil and tourism income is gone. They might bleed their cash reserves within 2-3 years. So everyone knows that without the US Iran would just steam roll Saudi Arabia. But Iran stands no chance in an air superiority exchange against the US. Sure sure the Russians will provide S400s but even they will be taken out by stealth bombers. As long as the US doesn't make the mistake to send ground troops into Iran this is winnable. But Iran for sure will find ways to try to draw them in and the Saudi forces seem terrible lol they need years of training to match Iran. .and it would be a grave mistake for the US to train those who hate them. Keep in mind, many of the people involved in 9/11 were from or financed by Saudi Arabia. There would be lots of friendly fire ...on Base. .Just like in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep pressure on Iran and help Saudis bomb Iran and if Iran makes a ground move towards Saudi Arabia just send A10s and a few gopros please :D
The Saudis only have 3 or 4 good brigades, which are housed in Riyadh. If they really lost a couple in an attack in the south they are in real trouble. They could easily lose Mecca and Medina.
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ReplyDeleteThere are a few YouTube videos from a couple of years ago displaying the incompetence of the Saudi military. Quite pathetic, actually.
Doesn't matter what you have, you have to know how to use it AND know how to fight.
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting to say the least.
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