Armed clashes erupt near Ataq Airport in Shabwa province

Dec. 04 (YPA) – Armed clashes have erupted near Ataq Airport, the center of Shabwa province in eastern Yemen, which is controlled by UAE-backed factions.

Local sources in the city reported that confrontations broke out between militants of the “Aal Omar” tribe and the “Hammam” tribe on Sunday evening due to a dispute over a plot of land in “Karsh” Mountain near the Al-Shabaika area, close to the Ataq Airport camp, which is controlled by UAE forces.

The sources indicated that the leaders of the pro-UAE factions, called “Shabwa Defense,” did not interfere to stop the confrontations between the tribesmen, without mentioning any losses among the militants.

The confrontations sparked a state of panic and terror among the people of the city, according to the sources.

This comes as an extension of the security chaos witnessed by the majority of districts in the province since the beginning of 2016.

The armed confrontations between the people of the Shabwa tribes are supported by the pro-UAE leaders coming from Dhalea and Lahj provinces in order to achieve foreign interests in the oil-rich province.

YPA