Khaberni - A tribal leader in Hadhramaut governorate of Yemen announced today, Saturday, that forces loyal to him have taken control of oil facilities, while a military statement accused what it called "armed groups" of attacking the company's protection forces and storming sites in the Masila oil fields in the east of the country.
A statement issued by the leader of the "Hadhramaut Tribal Alliance," Amro bin Habrish, mentioned that units of his forces "secured the Masila oilfield facilities on Saturday morning in order to enhance security there and to defend the national wealth from any aggression or foreign interference, as they are considered a wealth of the people under the legitimate official state," according to his statement.
The statement added that "the situation is under control, and the operations of the oil companies are continuing as usual, considering these movements as a reinforcement for the company protection leadership," emphasizing "not allowing any sabotage from any party whatsoever."
In contrast, the commander of the Second Military Region (affiliated with the Yemeni government) accused the forces loyal to Amro bin Habrish "of storming the oil facility and assaulting the Hadhrami forces tasked with its protection," affirming that "he will not allow this and will strike with an iron hand."
The video statement circulated by activists linked to the Southern Transitional Council considered what happened "a dangerous escalation of the situation and targeting one of the most important assets of the people," while the Yemeni government has not yet issued any ministerial comment.
The day before yesterday, bin Habrish expressed his rejection of "the deployment of brigades and forces from outside the governorate" (affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council), and in a meeting he agreed "to confront by all means and methods to defend Hadhramaut and its wealth."
Hadhramaut governorate is witnessing a mounting escalation due to the movements and mobilizations led by forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council, in response to steps taken by bin Habrish, who announced the establishment of "Hadhramaut Protection Forces" and deployed points near oil extraction areas in the region, according to Yemeni journalistic sources.
Last Thursday, Rashad Al-Alimi, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, issued a presidential decree appointing Salem Al-Khanbashi, the former Deputy Prime Minister, as governor of Hadhramaut, succeeding the governor Mabkhout bin Madi.
Yemen is experiencing repeated crises due to years of conflict, in addition to the halt of oil exports in October 2022, following attacks by the Houthis on the Nashima port, the Qana port in Shabwa governorate (south), and the Dhabah port in Hadhramaut governorate to the east.
