Barran Press
Tribal clashes erupted in Shabwah province, eastern Yemen, on Saturday following the laying of the foundation stone for a solar power plant project, according to tribal sources.
The clashes, which involved the "Hammām" and "Al Duggar Al Awaliq" tribes, took place in the Nasab district, west of Ataq, the provincial capital. The dispute stemmed from a disagreement over the ownership of the land where the solar power plant is to be built.
Sources told "Barran Press" that the fighting, which involved medium and light weapons, broke out after the governor of Shabwah, Sheikh Awad bin Wazir, laid the foundation stone for the Shabwah Solar Power Plant project in Nasab district, a disputed area.
The clashes, while tense, did not result in any fatalities or injuries. Local mediation efforts successfully halted the fighting and are currently working to persuade both parties to relinquish ownership of the land to the government, ensuring the success of the province's solar power project.
The solar power plant, funded by the United Arab Emirates, will have a capacity of 53 megawatts. The plant, spanning 600,000 square meters, is located on the northwestern outskirts of Ataq, within the boundaries of Nasab district. The land is contested between the Hammām tribe, residing north of Ataq, and the Al Duggar tribe, inhabiting Nasab district. The plant will feature over 120 solar panels, a storage system, a transformer station, and a 19-kilometer transmission line.
This incident highlights the complex land ownership issues and potential for conflict that can arise in Yemen, even in the context of development projects. The successful mediation efforts offer a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to this dispute and the successful completion of the solar power project, which is expected to bring much-needed energy to the region.