The Yemenis and the Saudis both seem fundamentally incapable of being a even minimally competent military force. Running conscript armies is hard. I get it, but the Houthis should have been crushed years ago.
***Iran [Military Action Thread]***[See Staff Note in OP]
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Last: 5 hrs ago by OdessaAg
What a rapid turn of events. We went from the Saudis sweeping the Houthis from Yemen to the exact opposite almost literally overnight.
Makes me wonder if the Houthis were running a massive feint campaign and lured the Saudis into a trap.
And I guess MBS FAFO'ed here as well with Trump.
Makes me wonder if the Houthis were running a massive feint campaign and lured the Saudis into a trap.
And I guess MBS FAFO'ed here as well with Trump.
YouBet said:
What a rapid turn of events. We went from the Saudis sweeping the Houthis from Yemen to the exact opposite almost literally overnight.
Makes me wonder if the Houthis were running a massive feint campaign and lured the Saudis into a trap.
And I guess MBS FAFO'ed here as well with Trump.
Yeah, the Saudis are still getting used to the fact that we don't actually need them like we used to. They used to be able to jerk us around on a whim and we had no choice but to take it because they could ruin us simply by turning off the oil pumps for a couple of months. The fracking boom and people "drilling our way out of" dependence on ME oil have completely changed the calculus over there and the Saudis are getting a front row seat.
YouBet said:
What a rapid turn of events. We went from the Saudis sweeping the Houthis from Yemen to the exact opposite almost literally overnight.
Makes me wonder if the Houthis were running a massive feint campaign and lured the Saudis into a trap.
And I guess MBS FAFO'ed here as well with Trump.
Well the situation there is terribly complex. It's not Germans vs. Aericans. It'ss like a lot of the stuff over there with dozens of tribes having their own fighers, some aligned one way, some the other. They all play both sides constantly and things like training, equipment, force cohesion, chain of command are all charicatures of the things rather than something to point to.
In the West we're acustomed to using maps to chart campaigns, progress, the tide of battle and so forth. That's not how this works.
I think you're right on MBS. I think it's the wrong call, tbh, But so were some of the calls that these folks have made. Frankly, I understand wanting to maintain some strategic separation from the US, but how so many people funamentally misread Trump is beyond me.
Some of it is cultural, sure, but he's mostly not that hard to read, at least his public statements.
What a bunch of bad news to wake up to.
Good grief.
Good grief.
This will all have to get worse before if gets better. That's unfortunate but it's the end game the IRGC has chosen.
The more countries who come to accept that, the quicker this will get resolved.
The more countries who come to accept that, the quicker this will get resolved.
Centcom in Riyadh today to talk to the Saudis about the Houthis advancing 
nvm
Keep in mind the Houthis and Saudi have been at it for over a decade. Despite Saudi having one of the most advanced militaries in the world when it comes to technology they haven't been able to make any gains
Saudis said East West pipeline was attacked by drones from Iraq. No retaliation until Iraq does an inquiry lol
Iran definitely has the upper hand against the Saudis. They are surrounded
P.U.T.U said:
Keep in mind the Houthis and Saudi have been at it for over a decade. Despite Saudi having one of the most advanced militaries in the world when it comes to technology they haven't been able to make any gains
The Saudi Royal Family need to get a weapon and Lead their Military.
Not much detail but: An alert was issued by the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies in Khamis Mushait Province Saudi Arabia to warn of a danger
Is that a new one? They had one yesterday and it was called off.
Yes, just posted
P.U.T.U said:
Keep in mind the Houthis and Saudi have been at it for over a decade. Despite Saudi having one of the most advanced militaries in the world when it comes to technology they haven't been able to make any gains
Work w Aramco for 10 minutes on a project and you'll understand why
Hah. That sez a lot. 10 mins is pretty telling.
Just saw that's the area where King Khalid Airbase is.
Pichael Thompson said:P.U.T.U said:
Keep in mind the Houthis and Saudi have been at it for over a decade. Despite Saudi having one of the most advanced militaries in the world when it comes to technology they haven't been able to make any gains
Work w Aramco for 10 minutes on a project and you'll understand why
One of my good friends works for Exxon and was over there 3 months before the war. Saudis outsource all of their labor, including war. It's a culture thing
I see all of this as a positive. Whether it was intended to work out like this or not as a Trump strategy is debatable, but it is clear Trump is telling the world that there is no more free ride on America's back for global security and the security deficiencies of the fat and weak are being exposed. Good. No more fake friends either.
I guess this is the Houthi war thread too now. Other one got locked.
I struggle to say anything positive about the Sauds from a fighting force perspective. Worked with some of their contractors some years ago and just confirmed all the studies I have read about them over the years. As I mentioned on the other thread, people literally study how bad they are at this whole military thing. I just say that to highlight absolutely none of this is a surprise to me. Even figured this was going to happen more or less.
It really comes down to one thing at the end of the day. The Sauds military culture f'ing sucks. No two ways around it. And it propagates into so many issues. It's not the gear. It's the people. From the grunts who don't give a damn about anything beyond going back home at the end of the day to the leaders who are spoiled brats who won't lift a finger if it meant they had to sweat. You aren't going to build a competent war machine from that no matter what.
Against a determined group of people who know loss and hardship and embrace it because they are believers. Who also have a solid leadership structure in place and some serious fighting experience.
It's going to take a motivated and trained military with significant amounts of dedicated resources and time and a government willingly backing them to finish the job to stamp them out. Anyone see that happening anytime soon? Doubt the Sauds will sort themselves out to do so in the near future. They may buy enough mercs over time to slow them down and even stop the Houthis but going to be hard as hell to outbuy the staying power of true believers to get rid of them fully.
Their defensive coalition already seeming to be a joke so far too. It's first test and the other two members immediately found excuses to nope out. Stressing that "defense" part to the max.
I struggle to say anything positive about the Sauds from a fighting force perspective. Worked with some of their contractors some years ago and just confirmed all the studies I have read about them over the years. As I mentioned on the other thread, people literally study how bad they are at this whole military thing. I just say that to highlight absolutely none of this is a surprise to me. Even figured this was going to happen more or less.
It really comes down to one thing at the end of the day. The Sauds military culture f'ing sucks. No two ways around it. And it propagates into so many issues. It's not the gear. It's the people. From the grunts who don't give a damn about anything beyond going back home at the end of the day to the leaders who are spoiled brats who won't lift a finger if it meant they had to sweat. You aren't going to build a competent war machine from that no matter what.
Against a determined group of people who know loss and hardship and embrace it because they are believers. Who also have a solid leadership structure in place and some serious fighting experience.
It's going to take a motivated and trained military with significant amounts of dedicated resources and time and a government willingly backing them to finish the job to stamp them out. Anyone see that happening anytime soon? Doubt the Sauds will sort themselves out to do so in the near future. They may buy enough mercs over time to slow them down and even stop the Houthis but going to be hard as hell to outbuy the staying power of true believers to get rid of them fully.
Their defensive coalition already seeming to be a joke so far too. It's first test and the other two members immediately found excuses to nope out. Stressing that "defense" part to the max.
Pichael Thompson said:P.U.T.U said:
Keep in mind the Houthis and Saudi have been at it for over a decade. Despite Saudi having one of the most advanced militaries in the world when it comes to technology they haven't been able to make any gains
Work w Aramco for 10 minutes on a project and you'll understand why
They come in 4 hours late, "Allah wills it"
Mess up something, "Allah wills it" .
etc
Reports are the attack on Saudi oil pipeline came from inside Iraq.
Eliminatus said:
I guess this is the Houthi war thread too now. Other one got locked.
I struggle to say anything positive about the Sauds from a fighting force perspective. Worked with some of their contractors some years ago and just confirmed all the studies I have read about them over the years. As I mentioned on the other thread, people literally study how bad they are at this whole military thing. I just say that to highlight absolutely none of this is a surprise to me. Even figured this was going to happen more or less.
It really comes down to one thing at the end of the day. The Sauds military culture f'ing sucks. No two ways around it. And it propagates into so many issues. It's not the gear. It's the people. From the grunts who don't give a damn about anything beyond going back home at the end of the day to the leaders who are spoiled brats who won't lift a finger if it meant they had to sweat. You aren't going to build a competent war machine from that no matter what.
Against a determined group of people who know loss and hardship and embrace it because they are believers. Who also have a solid leadership structure in place and some serious fighting experience.
It's going to take a motivated and trained military with significant amounts of dedicated resources and time and a government willingly backing them to finish the job to stamp them out. Anyone see that happening anytime soon? Doubt the Sauds will sort themselves out to do so in the near future. They may buy enough mercs over time to slow them down and even stop the Houthis but going to be hard as hell to outbuy the staying power of true believers to get rid of them fully.
Their defensive coalition already seeming to be a joke so far too. It's first test and the other two members immediately found excuses to nope out. Stressing that "defense" part to the max.
Trained Saudi princes to be pilots in SUPT. That country has a whle lotta princes and they're all named "Muhammed." None ever graduated on time. Usually took 2-3 years per student. They kept on washing them back to the trailing classes.
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Dan Scott said:
Reports are the attack on Saudi oil pipeline came from inside Iraq.
It did. The Iraqis then fired some defense chief for the Maysan province or some such.
For the first time in two months since the de-facto cessation of the Memorandum of (Mis?)Understanding, the aggregate exports of crude oil out of the US Blockade Line by Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Oman have been averaging north of 10 million barrels per day.…
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) September 11, 2026
Great news.
JUST IN: 🇸🇦🇮🇷 Saudi Arabia Is Preparing a Massive Israeli Style Blitz Against Yemen’s Houthi Terrorists
— War Radar (@War_Radar2) September 12, 2026
Up to 200 F-15s and Eurofighter Typhoons are reportedly ready for action.
👀 Airstrikes could begin at any moment. Iran’s proxy forces may be facing their toughest days yet. pic.twitter.com/jg44bbGxh0
About time. The pampered princes really don't like being clowned on/humiliated as such.
FYI - The Houthi didn't seize control of these islands.
— Trent Telenko (@TrentTelenko) September 11, 2026
The Yemani tribe controlling them switched sides to the Houthi because they looked like they are winning...
...and/or they were paid to do so.
This also suggests they can be bribed back. https://t.co/u1EV79GhoO
It's all just cave man tribal bull crap over there anyway. Target rich environment if ever one existed.
Edit. Nevermind. Saw the escalation everytime has everything to do with price no matter how many barrels comes out a day
maddiedou
Trump told the press this morning that the Houthis called and said they don't want to fight the US and asked the US not to bomb them.
Bulldog73
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Looks like we have a real though underreported presence in the Houthis situation, aand it may become another axis of direct conflict with the IRGC.
🚨 American military advisers and IRGC officers are now facing off through opposing sides of the escalating war in Yemen.
— The Iran Watcher (@TheIranWatcher) September 11, 2026
CNN reports that more than 100 U.S. military advisers are operating in Saudi Arabia, with one U.S. official putting the number at roughly 200. At the same… pic.twitter.com/ThLqC1uKR4
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-september-11-2026/
The link has a lot of info.
MBS is not having a good week, month, or year.
The link has a lot of info.
MBS is not having a good week, month, or year.
DeschutesAg said:
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-september-11-2026/
The link has a lot of info.
MBS is not having a good week, month, or year.
I am sure he's puckered a bit right now.
Not sure if it's been explicitly stated but KSA has shut down that East-West pipeline.
Protests in Iran. Need more.
A couple tankers were hit though in the 'US corridor' in the strait. Not sure of specifics.
Quote:
The Iranian rial fell to another record low, to roughly 2.3 million per U.S. dollar, as the military action and the naval blockade continue to squeeze them and stop the regime's ability to ship fuel and other goods in and out of the country.
Fuel shortages and rising prices are hitting commercial drivers hard, and it's having a dangerous result for the regime. Gas prices in Tehran were doubled for those who go over 110 liters a month, as subsidies were cut.
AdvertisementQuote:
The shortages have hit taxi, delivery and truck drivers particularly hard. About 120 taxi drivers in Kerman said fuel cuts were leaving them unable to work for roughly a third of each month, while drivers for Iranian ride-share and delivery giant Snapp have staged strikes in multiple cities, the report said.
"We've all stopped; no one is working," one driver said in footage verified by Storyful.Truckers near the Iraqi border have also gone on strike, while drivers in Bandar Abbas have warned they could follow.
"The issue is that we can no longer bear these pressures," truckers at the port said in a statement, according to the report.
The drivers striking in the face of possible severe punishment from the government are pretty courageous; it indicates how desperate the situation is getting. It was this kind of anger that led to the people rising up in January. This tends to lead to more such action, and can snowball quickly.
A couple tankers were hit though in the 'US corridor' in the strait. Not sure of specifics.
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