...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula, largely made up of sand and oil rigs. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual haj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. Formerly dictatorial and steeped in Olde Tyme Religion, deferring to Salafist holy men on all issues, it has now done a 180 and is making a serious effort to modernize, so as not to be left in the sand by its Gulf Arab neighbors. The holy men have been shoved to the background and the nation is now still dictatorial but somewhat rational. That doesn't make them trustworthy, but it's a start...in Harib District, south of Ma’rib governorate, leaving several dead and maimed.
A local informed source in the district stated that the confrontations erupted between elements of the "10th Shabwah Defense Brigade", commanded by Nasser al-Murkada, and the "Saba Axis" over the latter’s raid on a military post manned by Shabwah Defense forces at the ’Wady Abla Bridge’ checkpoint in Harib.
The source added that the festivities erupted after elements from the Saba Axis, led by Abdul-Hadi al-Qibli, took control of the position without prior operational notice.
Initial reports confirm one ShabwahDefense member, identified as Salem Ali Saleh Bin Ma’mar, was killed, alongside several others injured. Armed tensions persist in the area, with new checkpoints established in the aftermath of the fighting.
Tribal mediation efforts are reportedly underway to contain the fighting, amid demands from Saba Axis fighters to remove the newly established checkpoints aimed at Shabwah Defense forces, while no official movement has been reported from the leadership of the Saudi-backed factions.
Shabwah Defense positions in the al-Mala’a area have periodically faced similar drone attacks from Saba Axis forces over recent months.