Yemeni security forces foil attempt to bomb oil pipeline

Yemeni security forces foiled on Friday an attempt to blow up a crude oil pipeline in Al-Shabwan area in the restive province of Marib, the country's Interior Ministry said on its website.

"Some unknown militants belonging to Wadi Abieda tribe dug around the crude oil pipeline in Al-Shabwan area, also known as Kilo 48, in a bid to blow it up," said the Ministry.

"Security forces in charge of guarding the long-line crude oil had managed to thwart the botched attempt and prevented the pipeline from any damage as the militants were forced to flee the scene," the ministry said.

The ministry said it had launched a team of investigators to track the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

According to local officials, the air strike that killed one of the tribal elite on May 24, Jabir Ali al-Shabwany, who also served as deputy of Marib province and as a councilman, sparked a huge anger against the government and led to the attacks by the armed tribesmen on the oil establishments in revenge.

The Yemeni government is facing resurgent al-Qaida militancy and growing voices in the south calling for disengagement from the north. It is also trying to cement a ceasefire deal that was signed with northern Shiite rebels on Feb. 11.

Source: Xinhua