Aden (South24 Center)

The Shabwa Tribes Alliance announced on Sunday, July 26, that it rejects the resumption of crude oil exports from the southern governorate until its demands are met, foremost among them allocating 50% of Shabwa’s resource revenues to serve the governorate and its residents.

In a statement, the alliance called for presidential decrees to establish the “Petro-Shabwa” company, build an oil refinery in the governorate, activate Qana Port, reduce fuel prices to levels applied in Marib, and designate Shabwa as an independent military zone.

The alliance accused the Presidential Leadership Council and the government of neglecting Shabwa despite its significant oil and gas resources. It warned that it could mobilize tribes and prevent oil tankers from leaving company facilities if its demands are ignored.

It said the date and location of the tribal mobilization would be announced later, once preparations are completed.

The statement comes amid preparations to resume oil exports following an announcement by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi on July 20 that oil revenues would be directed toward paying salaries, improving services, and strengthening economic stability.

Shabwa’s local authority welcomed the decision to resume exports while stressing the need to respect the governorate’s rights and safeguard its legal and financial entitlements.

In Hadramout, the local authority maintained its claim to a 20% share of the value of crude oil produced and exported from the governorate, describing it as an acquired right that cannot be relinquished or bypassed.

The Southern Transitional Council, meanwhile, rejected the use of southern oil revenues to fund areas under Houthi control, saying priority should be given to paying the salaries of southern forces and local government employees.

Oil exports have remained suspended since late 2022 following Houthi drone attacks on the Al-Dhabba terminal in Hadramout and the Al-Nushaima and Qana ports in Shabwa. The attacks damaged infrastructure and prompted shipping and insurance companies to avoid government-controlled ports.