Sanaa: A Yemeni security official says clashes between the military and tribesmen over the recurrent sabotage of vital oil pipelines in the south have killed a senior Army officer and three armed tribesmen. He said a military unit and tribesmen exchanged gunfire as troops headed to secure and repair a damaged pipeline in the city of Marib. He accused tribesmen of sabotage and supporting ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh who was removed from power after a yearlong uprising in 2012. Yesterday clashes erupted after the Yemeni military led a campaign to stop attacks on oil pipelines, which cost the country nearly 15 million dollars a day, according to government figures.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.