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