Tribal blockades plunge Shabwa into darkness, threatening Saudi-controlled areas with paralysis

SHABWAH, June 16 (YPA) – The city of Ataq, the capital of the oil-rich Shabwa Governorate, along with several districts, was plunged into total darkness on Tuesday following a complete shutdown of the electricity service due to the depletion of diesel fuel required to operate the power grids.

This collapse comes as a result of a disruption in fuel supplies caused by ongoing retaliatory tribal blockades (road blocking) on the main road linking the governorates of Shabwa and Marib, amid the failure of the Saudi-backed authorities to secure the primary highways.

Tribal gunmen on the outskirts of Ataq established a checkpoint to detain gas and oil tankers heading to Marib. This action was taken in retaliation for the detention of Shabwa-bound diesel tankers by tribal gunmen in Marib since last Saturday, reflecting an unprecedented state of security chaos due to the absence of the state in these regions since early 2016.

These tribal blockades have sparked widespread resentment among citizens, exacerbating their suffering due to the collapse of basic services—chief among them electricity, amid rising summer temperatures—in addition to a severe shortage of domestic gas.

As the tribal blockades enter their second day in Shabwa, local fears are escalating that this could lead to a total paralysis of truck movement. There are growing concerns that the fuel and domestic gas shortages could extend to the city of Aden and other Saudi-controlled areas in the coming days.

YPA