Tribal gunmen close oil field in Shabwa

SHABWA, Dec. 05 (YPA) – Balharith tribes in Usaylan District, Shabwa province, in eastern Yemen, continued on Thursday to stop the activity of the Jannah oil field for the third day in a row until all their legitimate demands are met.

Informed sources reported that armed groups from the Balharith tribes have forced the company managing the oil block “5” to cease operations in protest against the region’s lack of oil derivatives, electricity, and health services.

The sources stated that the government and local authorities loyal to the Saudi-led coalition in Usaylan have failed to address the people’s legitimate demands for basic services and excluded their sons from conscription in factions planned to protect oil installations between the Jannah field and “Al-Nimr” site.

The Balharith tribes announced the closure of the site until their legitimate demands were met, amid threats to escalate the situation.

American company “Janna Hunt” will commence operations in the oil block in early January following PetroMasila’s resignation in November due to inability to pay workers’ salaries.

The Yemeni Company for Oil and Mineral Investments (YICOM), which is witnessing a conflict over its management among members of the “Presidential Leadership Council,” returned the American company to Shabwa.

In January 2022, the YICOM employees union protested the company administration’s approval to grant PetroMasila the operation of Block 5 in Usaylan due to the company’s lack of legal capacity.

YPA