Following Clashes with the “Houthis”… Saudi Forces Evacuate the First Oil Governorate in Eastern Yemen

Saudi Arabia evacuated its largest camps in eastern Yemen on Wednesday, following confrontations with Sana’a forces nearby.

Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Saudi forces transferred all their equipment and military gear from the Mara base east of the city of Ataq, the administrative center of the oil-rich Shabwa governorate.

Military sources in Shabwa reported that Saudi forces handed over the camp to local factions known as “Shabwa Defense,” led by the son of the governor, Awadh Al-Wazir Al-Awlaki, who is loyal to the UAE.

The Saudi military governor of Shabwa, Musleh Al-Otaibi, had left following a meeting with Governor Al-Awlaki dedicated to discussing support for local factions there.

These developments come amid Saudi anticipation of further escalation in Yemen.

The area of Hareeb, located on the border of Marib, witnessed violent clashes between Sana’a forces and factions loyal to Saudi Arabia, resulting in casualties among those factions.

It is unclear whether the Saudi step is part of arrangements for reconciliation with the UAE, for which Shabwa is one of its most prominent gains in the war on Yemen, or for other purposes. However, its coincidence with rising tensions amid anticipation of an attempt to confuse matters through the export of Yemeni oil indicates Saudi fears of targeting its stationed forces, especially with the expectation that the oil- and gas-rich governorate may fall in any upcoming battle.