Recent satellite imagery has confirmed damage to Amazon data centers in the Middle East and a Saudi oil facility, following attacks linked to Iran and its allies. The images, captured by Europe’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, highlight the ongoing conflict as military exchanges intensify between the United States, Gulf states, Iran, the Houthi faction in Yemen, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
Confirmed Attacks on Amazon Data Centers
On July 21, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had attacked and “destroyed” Amazon data centers in Bahrain using cruise missiles. This statement was disseminated through the Iranian state media outlet Fars News Agency and covered by Western media outlets, including CNBC. The attacks follow earlier strikes on March 1 that had already caused significant damage to three Amazon data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, forcing Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers in the region to migrate workloads to other cloud regions.
High-resolution satellite images released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps purportedly show damage to two Amazon data centers located in Bahrain. Analysts utilized Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery to verify the strikes but could not assess the full extent of the damage. Attempts to obtain comments from Bahrain, the U.S. military, and Amazon were met with silence.
Impact on Saudi Oil Facilities
While the Iranian strikes on Amazon may have been symbolic, the Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities pose a more significant threat to global oil exports. On July 20, the Houthis declared a naval blockade aimed at disrupting Saudi oil exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Subsequent attacks on July 25 targeted Saudi oil refineries and the crucial port of Yanbu, which is vital for oil shipments to Asian markets.
The Houthis’ control over coastal territory allows them to threaten maritime traffic in the region, complicating Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reroute oil exports away from the Strait of Hormuz. Satellite images indicated that a fire broke out at Saudi Aramco’s Jazan oil refinery, which typically processes 400,000 barrels per day. Although Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the damage, analysts have turned to satellite imagery for verification.
Market Repercussions and Future Considerations
The recent Houthi attacks have already led to a 40 percent decline in oil tanker transits through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait compared to the previous week. Reports suggest that the Houthis may consider charging fees for safe passage, reminiscent of Iran’s tactics in the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade could exacerbate existing economic strains on oil-dependent economies.
As the conflict continues, the lack of transparency from governments and companies underscores the importance of open-source intelligence, such as satellite imagery, in assessing the human and economic toll of the war. The Copernicus satellite imagery remains a valuable resource, although the European Union has recently agreed to impose a 24-hour delay on releasing images related to shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz.
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Original source: arstechnica.com
