Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 103 Chain Reaction (Part 1)

After learning that the Northern Expeditionary Force had defeated the enemy's 38th Armored Division and 45th Armored Brigade, cutting off the supply line from Zion to the Kikulk oil field.

Almost simultaneously, the two Arab states, together with other Arab countries, issued a statement and resolution on an "oil embargo".

This announcement was like a bombshell, causing a huge uproar worldwide.

There are three core components:

First, the Arab oil-producing countries unilaterally announced a 70% increase in oil prices and reclaimed the power to set oil prices.

Second, the Arab oil-producing countries, led by Zion, decided to begin cutting oil production by 5 percent per month and to implement a differentiated oil supply policy based on how other countries treat Zion and the Arab countries.
Third, a comprehensive oil embargo was imposed on Zion, the United Kingdom, France, and several Western countries.

As soon as the news was released, global crude oil prices soared at a rocket-like speed, doubling in just a few hours.

Anyone can see that the Arab countries are serious this time. The Third World countries are uniting to fight against the Western colonial empire, and this energy war will profoundly change the global energy political landscape.

------

"The results of the past week's battle are in."

Ibrahim compiled the battle situation between other Arab allies and Zion into a document and handed it to Lu Lin: "You'd better be mentally prepared."

As a transmigrator, Lu Lin felt he had no shortage of mental preparation; otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry, fighting his way from the northernmost part of Al-Iraq all the way to Ghanam in just a few days.
Holy crap, I think I just copied Zion's attack route?

Lu Lin stroked his chin. Moreover, in terms of the quality and efficiency of combat, he seemed to have more merit.
Thinking about it this way, Zion isn't such a big deal after all!

Lu Lin took the battle report. If the original timeline had been followed, the Arab coalition would have gained the upper hand in the first few days and then started a series of mysterious operations, eventually leading to the collapse of both the northern and southern fronts. Masr and Suriya would then engage in a dogfight, each trying to shift the blame onto the other.

He glanced at the battle situation, and it was exactly as he had expected.

On October 7, after occupying the east bank of the Suez Canal, Masr's Second Army did not continue its advance. Instead, it sought to force Zion to negotiate with it through a "limited victory."

The result was a missed opportunity.

Lu Lin was speechless at the incompetence of his teammates.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense wouldn't be this naive!

The saying "Arabia has no generals who can fight" is becoming increasingly valuable.

Then, because the pressure on Masr was greatly reduced, Zion was able to free up his resources to deal with Surria in the north.

Zion's command even redeployed a division from right under Masr's nose to support the northern front, completely disregarding Masr's Second Army.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and France were also conducting a large-scale emergency airlift to Zion, replenishing it with tank parts and anti-tank weapons. The number of armored brigades once surged to twelve, twice the number during the Six-Day War.

As of October 9th, the battle report was still being prepared. In the two days that followed, five armored divisions of Surya were directly confronting Zion's armored forces in the Homshama area, and the situation remained unclear.

"The Arab coalition is doomed; this war is almost over," Lu Lin said.

“Surria hasn’t lost yet,” Ibrahim said. “Although… well, we should be optimistic.”

"Forget it, five divisions with a total of 1,400 tanks and thousands of artillery pieces couldn't even take down two enemy armored brigades using blitzkrieg tactics."

Lu Lin waved his hand: "Now that they've come to their senses, they have a steady stream of weapons, equipment, and manpower. It would be a miracle if we could win!"

This is the result of poor communication between countries. Looking back at the entire battle, the Arab countries made numerous mistakes.

On our side, we had given the necessary reminders before the battle began, and the mission on the front lines had been successfully completed.

The rest is none of his concern. Ibrahim: "So what do we do next?"

"Please, I haven't slept for two days." Lu Lin shrugged. "Now that things have come to this, let's get some sleep first."

------

Zion, the Prime Minister's Building.

The phone at Prime Minister Hilbert's office has been ringing off the hook with calls, questions, and demands for solutions.
When their own interests are threatened, these allies of the capitalist world will show their true colors without hesitation.

"I admit that this was my personal misjudgment of the war situation. I did not take into account that the oil resources controlled by Arab countries could be used as weapons and have such a great impact on industrialized countries."

Prime Minister Hilbert convened his cabinet members and proactively admitted his mistakes.

Within hours of OPEC announcing the "oil embargo," Europe and some developed Asian countries were forced to adjust their Middle East policies, choosing to publicly support the Arab position in exchange for oil supplies.

This shift in allegiances happened much faster than at the UN General Assembly.

“This is not your fault,” General Yesavishin, the commander-in-chief, stepped forward and took the blame: “It was my proposal of the ‘battle gradient’ that led to an incorrect assessment of the priority of the Euphrates front in Al-Ilag. I should take responsibility for this situation.”

In fact, the oil fields in the Sinai Peninsula are already enough for Zion to produce and consume on its own. The Kikuq oil field in Al Ilag is more like a bargaining chip to restrain Arab countries. After all, the battle lines are too long and too difficult to maintain, which is why Zion and the Kurds have joined forces to share the spoils.

Defense Minister Morda advised, "That's not entirely true. The front lines in Masr and Surria are indeed more urgent. After all, if their troops were to advance unimpeded, we might have to set up defensive lines outside Jerusalem and Haifa."

"The two powers must have been planning to use oil as a weapon for a long time, they were just waiting for our supply lines in Ghanam to be cut off." Chief of the General Staff Ali Lazars said coldly, "Those capitalist countries only have their own interests on their minds."

For Zion, dealing with Masr and Surria is the most urgent matter, but for the colonial empire, not only is the oil they have already acquired gone, but they are also being bitten in return, which is the most unacceptable thing for them.

“We still need to address the issue of our allies,” Hilbert said after a moment’s thought. “We cannot afford to lose the aid from the United Kingdom and France; it is of great importance to us.”

His Excellency the Prime Minister has made his point very clear.

General Yesavishin, Chief of the General Staff Ali Lazars, and Air Force Commander Gorodish exchanged glances, understanding each other's intentions.

Are we preparing to retake the Euphrates Front?

Hilbert said, "That's right, but before that, we need to stabilize the situation in the Sinai Peninsula and Surria."

“According to intelligence from the 45th Armored Brigade at the front, Shuangzhi has dispatched at least one armored division and one artillery division. The commander-in-chief is Amir bin Mohammed, the sixth son of Defense Minister Mohammed,” General Yeshavishen said.

“Amir” Hilbert nodded: “Even a second-class nation like the Arabs can produce outstanding young people in times of crisis.”

This marks his second victory over Zion's most prized armored forces, a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent. Any arrogance before achieving victory will come at a heavy price!

"Yes!" The generals present all replied solemnly.

"But it would be even better if we could get rid of this young man." Prime Minister Hilbert said with some regret, "It's just a pity that he's too far from the front lines right now."

At this point, Defense Minister Morda analyzed: "According to Samod's intelligence, Shuangzhi's northern expeditionary force passed through the Hashim border and arrived in Rahim via Sergeid. If we can cut off their supplies, we can isolate Shuangzhi's army."

Hilbert walked to the military map. To the south of Al-Ilag were mountains and desert. Without roads, the Northern Expeditionary Force would have to take a long detour to get back to Shuangzhi.

"Hassim is a fence-sitter. He knows that Arab countries can't beat us, and now he's probably in a difficult situation."

Hilbert stated, "I suspect that King Setis is waiting for an excuse to make peace with us."

(End of this chapter)