US embassy cable - 05SANAA1986

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