Dakar 2020: Saudi Arabia attacked by Houthi rebel drones

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East was never calm and one should find it strange if it becomes calm from one day to the other, but there have always been some stable countries where the politic and economic situation was good or because the governments exerted all their power to contain internal or external menaces.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most stable countries in the region, but it is still contested by others due to some of the Kingdom's official positions or actions that aren't exactly easy to explain. Despite the complicated situation, in the more recent times the Saudis have made a real effort to become more open to the world and adopt more moderate views on many issues.  Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is involved in an ongoing war with the Houthi rebels in Yemen with no end in sight.

In the past hours, the Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil facilities causing an alt to the production and with the potential to disrupt global oil supplies and an increase in oil prices.  The situation in Saudi Arabia had become more complex, with the recent attack showing that Saudi's enemies are becoming stronger and ready to cause damage where it hurts the most.  According to the state-run oil producer Saudi Aramco, the attacks on the Abqaiq facility will cut the kingdom’s production by about 5.7m barrels per day, more than half of Saudi Arabia’s output, the world’s largest supplier of crude oil. 

The next Dakar Rally should take place in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of next year, exploring the amazing Saudi Desert, uncharted territory for many and full of challenges and amazing landscapes.  The departure from South America left the uncertainty and the unexpected last-minute decisions of the local governments behind, but also the relative security of a much more politic calm region.  In the Arabian Peninsula, the organizers found a government that fully supports the race and is ready to spend millions to make sure   the 2020 edition and next ones are amazing successes, but with the military and political conflicts increasing in intensity, the next Dakar Rally could also face some challenges that were forgotten since when it left Africa and crossed the Atlantic ocean. 

For the moment, organizers and teams keep the preparations going according their plans but it is no secret that many are looking to the Middle East region and expecting that the situation can cool down to make sure that the race can be run under normal conditions.

The Rally-Raid Network