Armed tribesmen seized control of war-torn Yemen's only gas export terminal today after soldiers assigned to protect it surrendered, a military source said.
The tribesmen decided to organise their own security for the Balhaf plant, operated by Yemen LNG, in which France's Total has a stake of almost 40 per cent, the source said.
Yemen LNG said it had stopped operations at the Gulf of Aden terminal in the southern province of Shabwa due to a "force majeure".
Southern tribes have taken up arms against rebels that have advanced from the north in their fight against forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi-led air war against the Huthi Shiite rebels and allied troops is in its third week.
Shabwa province has seen heavy clashes between southern fighters and rebel forces.
Soldiers guarding the Balhaf terminal were allowed to leave after they handed over their weapons, a tribal source said, adding that the tribes "pledged to protect the installations against looting".
According to the military source, "members of every tribe involved have been assigned to a force that will protect the port".
Yesterday tribesmen overran the bases of two army brigades near the terminal.
