Environmental disaster looms in Shabwa as oil spill threatens residents

SHABWA, Aug. 12 (YPA) – Sources revealed an environmental disaster threatening residents of two districts east of Ataq, the center of Shabwa governorate, which is under the control of Saudi-led coalition factions.

Dr. Nasser Habtoor stated in a Facebook post that the major oil spill from the crude oil pipeline extending from the Jardan fields to several areas in the Al-Rawdah and Habban districts is a health and environmental disaster, threatening citizens, their agricultural lands, and groundwater sources.

He explained that the crude oil leakage has mixed with water in the Al-Matar area of Al-Rawdah, which residents rely on for drinking, daily life, livestock, and irrigation. This issue could turn into a real tragedy.

Habtoor stressed the importance of halting the pipeline’s operation and conducting repairs, highlighting that the local authorities’ failure to address and maintain the pipeline constitutes a disaster on its own.

He urged residents to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves, their children, and their farms from the dangerous pollution.

Habtoor questioned, “How can crude oil continue to be pumped through the pipeline while the government claims to have ceased exports?”

The crude oil leakage in the Al-Matar area of Al-Rawdah has been ongoing since May, with local authorities loyal to the UAE showing no concern for the citizens’ lives.

This comes after another oil spill in mid-July covered large areas of land and extended into the sea along the coasts of Radum and Bir Ali.

@E.Y.M