TA-ATTACKS: Al-Qaeda Attacks Saudi Oil Industry Again

Al-Qaeda has made another strike at the life blood of American. An attack at an oil facility in Khobar was a direct attempt to damage the economy of the U.S., and at the same time frighten Saudi citizens who aided and worked for Western oil companies. Hostages taken by the terrorist were freed when 40 Saudi commandos jumped from a helicopter on to the roof of the building, and ended the hostage situation.



Saudi officials claim that they are doing everything in their power to protect these facilities form further attacks, yet some of the terrorist were able to "escape" a single building surrounded by police and security forces. This fact leads us to believe that either the Arab security forces are incompetent or corrupt.

Another interesting point of the attack is the way the terrorist sought out western oil employees. One of the Arab employees told reporters that the militants asked him "Are you Muslim or Christian? We don't want to kill Muslims. Show us where the Americans and Westerners live." 9 non-Muslim hostages were killed after trying to escape during the night. The terrorist slit their throats when they caught them sneaking down the stairs. Earlier that day, the terrorist had tied the body of one of the Westerners to a car and dragged it through the streets.

Oil prices rose after reports of the attacks came in. Even with OPEC members announcing increases of oil production, the prices will continue to stay high and keep rising if these types of attacks continue to take place.


[Edited on 1-6-2004 by dbates]

But the real problem in all this is.... how long are they gonna be able to increase production. When this thing peak, those little terrorist attack will be nothing. Only middle east has the capacity to increase the production, everyone else is already pumping at full capacity. Or maybe they can't deliver the promised increase. So they try to cover it up with some hostage situation or something. For me it look like someone is trying to buy some time.

My point of view is, that as long as were dependant on fossil fuel, the war on terror will never end.

OPEC reported that even if they did increase their production, they still would not be able to drive down prices....and now...oil has reached historic highs once again today...