Shabwa oil sector sparks disputes between UAE, Al-Alimi

SHABWA, Jan. 19 (YPA) – The Emirati-backed armed factions-held Shabwa province is being witnessed a dangerous escalation of tension to seize the largest oil-producing sectors in the province.

Sources familiar with the matter affirmed that the escalation occurred between the local tribes and the “head of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, against the backdrop of the factions’ attempt to seize the largest oil-producing sectors.

The sources affirmed that Al-Alimi assigned the so-called “Adel Al-Hamadi” to take over the duties of the “YIcom” oil company, and sent him to Cairo to conclude a suspicious deal aimed at selling Sector 5 oilfield in Osaylan district in favor of his son “Abdul-Hafiz Al-Alimi” and his business partner “Abdullah Al-Kharraz.”

This move provoked the UAE to force the Shabwa governor, Awadh Bin al-Wazir al-Awlaki, to return on Wednesday to the city of Ataq, the provincial capital of Shabwa, to mobilize the tribes to dismiss Al-Hammadi, amid widespread rejection of the deal in which Al-Alimi was trying to seize control of the oil sector.

The UAE has reinforced its factions present around the oil sector to prevent the entry of any committees or engineering teams affiliated with the companies concerned with the deal.

The sources added that the UAE might push the loyal tribes to escalate against Al-Alimi’s attempt to seize the most important oil fields, which threatens to spark a bloody conflict in the province.

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