Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA2336
2003-09-17 13:18:00
SECRET
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

TRIBAL ATTACK ON U.S. OIL PIPELINE LIKELY

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S E C R E T SANAA 002336 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2013
TAGS: PTER ASEC YM COUNTER TERRORISM DOMESTIC POLITICS ENERGY
SUBJECT: TRIBAL ATTACK ON U.S. OIL PIPELINE LIKELY
REPRESENTS ANTI-ROYG, NOT ANTI-USG SENTIMENTS

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for reasons 1.5. (b and d)

S E C R E T SANAA 002336

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2013
TAGS: PTER ASEC YM COUNTER TERRORISM DOMESTIC POLITICS ENERGY
SUBJECT: TRIBAL ATTACK ON U.S. OIL PIPELINE LIKELY
REPRESENTS ANTI-ROYG, NOT ANTI-USG SENTIMENTS

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for reasons 1.5. (b and d)


1. (s/nf) Summary: On September 12, tribal elements
succeeded in damaging U.S.-based Yemen Hunt Oil Company's
pipeline approximately 60 kilometers from the Marib
production facility. A single explosion from an IED of
unknown specifications made three or four holes in the
pipeline. No personnel were injured. The pipeline was shut
down for repairs and operations resumed approximately 24
hours after the incident. End summary.


2. (s/nf) According to Yemen Hunt's General Manager, a
pipeline leak was reported at 8 a.m. on September 12 and the
pipeline was shut down at 9 a.m. There were 3-4 holes in the
pipeline, the largest of which was about 4 inches in
diameter. Note: The 420-kilometer-long pipeline carries oil
from production fields in Marib to the deep sea port of Ras
Isa on the Red Sea. End note. There were no injuries, and
Hunt will provide Embassy with an estimate of lost oil when
available. Hunt Security Chief said the actual incident took
place about 4 a.m. Repairs were delayed until about 10 p.m.
that day because of the location of the damage, approximately
60 km from the Marib production facility, and were completed
at approximately 5:00 a.m. The company resumed full
production shortly thereafter.


3. (s/nf) The pipeline was damaged in the Sirwah region of
Marib province, northeast of the capital Sanaa. ROYG
military have secured the location. Initial investigation by
Hunt indicated the damage was caused by the explosion of a
single IED of unknown specifications. Local press reported
that government officials in Sanaa believe the attackers
belong to the Jahm tribe, and that the attack was to protest
the arrest of fellow tribesmen by Sanaa police last month.
Note: Sirwah is the stronghold of the Jahm tribe, known in
past years for kidnappings of foreigners and occasional
bombings calculated to obtain benefits/services from the
ROYG; most notorious was the July 2001 kidnap of a German
diplomat. End note.


4. (s/nf) Ministry of Interior Chief of Staff, Brigadier
General Ahmed al-Sunaidar confirmed to RSO that there is
security posted on the above-ground portions of the pipeline.
The absence of security in the area where the explosion took
place was due to the fact that the section of pipe was in an
isolated area previously covered by sand, which shifted,
leaving the pipe exposed. Sunaidar committed the MOI to
investigate the incident and to arrest the perpetrators.
Because it is very remote, there is no American citizen
travel warning to the area of the incident.


5. (s/nf) Comment: Tribal interests have occasionally
targeted the Hunt pipeline in years past. The September 12
pipeline attack is notable because it is the first such
action against the pipeline in well over a year. Based on
available information, it appears that the ROYG was the
intended target of disgruntled tribe members, likely in
retaliation for the recent arrest of Zaidi shaykhs in Sana'a.
There is no evidence of anti-U.S. intent per se. End
comment.
HULL