Seven of twelve oil tankers seized by gunmen in Marib, Yemen on April 18 have been released to a joint military and police detachment after the intervention of Tribal mediators.  The tankers were seized in retaliation for the government’s seizure of an oil tanker owned by a businessman of Al-Wadi in Sana'a.  The tribesmen also blocked the main road into the district.

The gunmen holding the seven released tankers are members of the Al-Mohtam tribe of the Al-Wadi district.  Tribal mediators were able to secure the release of the tanker seized by the government, prompting the armed tribesmen to release the tankers they had seized.  However, the remaining five oil tankers are held by gunmen from another regional tribe, the Al-Arada, who are holding the tankers for ransom money.

The army and police were able to unblock the main road and re-establish control of the immediate area.  Tribal mediation is commonly employed when trouble arises in the region, and the government has announced it will pursue mediation to secure the release of the five remaining oil tankers being held by the Al-Arada.  The government is blaming a nationwide fuel shortage in part on the roadblock and the tanker seizures, and has stated the military will remain in the district in order to arrest those involved.