YEMEN Press Agency

New Saudi mediation between “Islah and Belharith tribes” in Shabwah failed

SHABWAH, Sept. 21 (YPA) – Saudi mediation failed Tuesday to contain differences between Islah and the Belharith tribes in Bayhan district, Shabwa’s most important oil region, reflecting Saudi fears of the fall of the directorate, which has seen significant advances by Sanaa’s forces in recent hours.

Sheikh Abu Mukhlas al-Harithi told the media that Saudi Arabia had offered to reduce fuel prices in Bayhan district from 15,500 riyals to 3,500 riyals, noting that the tribes rejected the move and insisted on reducing  gasoline prices throughout Shabwah province, which is rejected by the Islah Party authority.

The Saudi offer came a day after threatening to bomb the homes several sheikhs of Bayhan tribes, indicating that Saudi Arabia is facing a stalemate there as Sanaa’s forces advance amid fears that tribes will join Sanaa.

The Belharith tribes continue to close oil fields in the Usaylan region for the third day in a row, a day after bloody clashes with Hadi’s forces in which two tribesmen of Belharith were killed and five others wounded.

E.M