Tribesmen blow up Yemen’s main oil pipeline

Armed Yemeni tribesmen have blown up Yemen’s main oil export pipeline in east of the capital, a military source said. The oil flow has stopped by the explosion, which took place on Friday, the source said. Yemen uses the pipeline to carry crude oil from the Maarib fields in the center of the country to the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea. Tribal sources said the attack meant to force the central government to pay the tribesmen compensation and release their relatives. Oil revenues make up more than 70% of Yemen’s state budget. Oil and gas products also account for over 90% of Yemen's exports. Insurgents and tribesmen have repeatedly attacked oil and gas pipelines in Yemen over the past two years in a bid to win concessions from the central government, causing fuel shortages and slashing export earnings in the impoverished country. Source: MENA