STANDOFF ENDS BETWEEN YEMENI MILITARY AND TRIBAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 001986 SIPDIS NOFORN DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA, NEA/ ARP, NEA/EX, NEA/P, CA, CENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2015 TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER DOMESTIC POLITICS ENERGY SUBJECT: STANDOFF ENDS BETWEEN YEMENI MILITARY AND TRIBAL MEMBERS. Classified By: Classified by RSO Timothy Laas for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On 20 July 2005, 300 armed tribal members took up positions near a Jannah Hunt oil processing plant in the Helewah region of the Marib Governate with the intention of pressuring the government of Yemen to reinstate subsidies on oil and gas products. American and British citizens were among the workers in the plant. ¶2. (C) Yemen military units were immediately dispatched to reinforce the security at the plant. Workers at the plant were advised by the Yemeni government to remain inside. Water was turned off by tribal members but was quickly turned back on by government engineers. Hunt Oil employees contacted their headquarters in Sanaa and the information was relayed to Embassy consular officials. CDA contacted Interior Minister Alimi who promised to coordinate mediation efforts with local officials and the military. ¶3. (C) On 21 July 2005 the Yemeni military met with tribal leaders and began negotiations. The crisis was resolved by government negotiators early on Friday the 22nd and the workers were allowed to leave. The plant is currently working under normal conditions and no incidents were reported at any other Hunt Oil facilities. Khoury