Analysts say the Saudi attack could be a new tactic aimed at slowing the US economy. In two deadly attacks here in the past month, analysts see Al Qaeda-linked groups adopting new tactics and targets – encouraging self-organizing cells to hit soft targets in an effort to drive away Western oil workers, damage the Saudi petroleum industry, and slow the US economy. Despite the weekend attack in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich eastern province in which 22 people were killed, oil operations continued uninterrupted Monday amid heightened security. Oil prices hit 20-year highs of $41.85 per barrel in May but eased last week after Saudi Arabia pledged to increase production and urged OPEC to do the same. Oil markets, closed Monday, are expected to experience a slight spike because of the Khobar attacks. Saudi Arabia is the world’s No. 1 oil producer and provides for more than 10 percent of worldwide consumption. “Hurting the US economy is a longtime Al Qaeda goal and is one of the reasons the World Trade Center in New York was targeted. They’re now striking these oil- related sites in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to keep oil prices high and hurt the US economy,” says Saud al-Sarhan, a Saudi writer and researcher who follows Al Qaeda closely. A statement posted on the Internet and signed by the Saudi Al Qaeda leader, Abdul-Aziz al-Miqrin, claimed responsibility for the Khobar attack. Full Story
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