SANA'A – The Yemeni army launched an assault Sunday using tanks and rockets on tribesmen blocking repairs to the country's main oil export pipeline, tribal sources said. Earlier this month, the military launched a major offensive against tribesmen suspected of repeatedly blowing up the Maarib pipeline and attacking power lines. At least 17 soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected Al-Qaeda militants. “Armed tribesmen prevented repair teams from fixing the oil pipeline and army forces shelled the areas where the gunmen are based using tanks and Katyusha rockets,” a tribal source said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Local authorities reached a deal last week with tribal leaders under which the military will cease air strikes and the tribesmen will chase those responsible for killing the soldiers. The US-allied Yemeni government depends heavily on tribesmen in its fight against militancy. – Reuters
