Clashes break out between Islah militants, tribal gunmen in Shabwah

SHABWAH, Dec. 24 (YPA) – Violent Clashes broke out this between Tribesmen and forces loyal to Hadi government and Islah party in the oil-rich southeastern province of Shabwah.

This was reported by Yemen News Portal, based on the testimonies of local sources.

According to the Sources, tribal gunmen prevented a truck carrying a drilling rig belonging to the Al-Oqla oil field from being removed while it was  passing through the Al-Mae’ashar area north of Ataq.

Al-Oqla Field Protection Force attacked the tribal gunmen, triggering violent clashes between the two sides.  The clashes left five soldiers wounded in addition to burning a military pickup vehicle, the sources explained .

The sources confirmed the continuing tension between Hadi’s forces and the tribal gunmen as reinforcements arrive for the tribesmen , who insist that  the drilling rig does not go to an unknown location.

The transfer of the drilling rig came ahead of a forthcoming decision to dismiss pro-Islah party governor Mohammed Bin Adio, which observers seen it  as an attempt to plunder the province’s oil capabilities before handing them over.

E.M