Armed tribesmen continue to target energy lines in Marib

Yemeni officials have developed a military plan to bring an end to the attacks Armed tribesmen have renewed their attacks against Yemen's energy sector by targeting oil and electricity lines in Marib, east of Sanaa. Meanwhile, government authorities have developed a military plan to arrest those carrying out the attacks, which have halted the exportation of Yemeni oil and led to blackouts in Sanaa and other Yemeni cities.
Local sources in Marib told Arabstoday that unknown gunmen had bombed the oil pipeline near Safer Field on Tuesday, just 48 hours after it had been repaired. They added that the tribesmen attacked the energy lines that were being used to provide Sanaa and other Yemeni cities with electricity.
A senior official within Yemen’s Ministry of Electricity told Arabstoday that the ministry's engineering staff came under attack from tribesmen, who wanted to prevent them from repairing the damage done to the energy lines.
The source added that that the attacks are aimed at putting pressure on the government to respond to their demands for concessions. However, the Yemeni government has criticised the tribesmen for blackmail and accused them of wanting to obtain money illegally.
In a related development, Yemeni authorities have developed a military plan to confront individuals involved in the attacks. Government sources said that the state had decided to arrest and take legal action against "criminals who adopt violence."
The sources explained that the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior were working together to protect the energy lines from attacks that have had a significant impact on the country's economy.
Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has instructed Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa and his defence and interior ministers to formulate a plan to protect the country from people and groups who want to harm Yemen's security interests.