Shabwa Hit by the First Act of Sabotage Since the Establishment of the New PLC

Shabwa (South24)

On Sunday, a huge explosion targeted a liquefied gas pipeline in the Southern governorate of Shabwa.

Local sources told "South24" that an explosion by unknown perpetrators hit a liquefied gas pipeline in Al-Nashima near Mayfa'a District.

A well-informed source confirmed to "South24" that the blast was a result of an act of sabotage.

The flames rose at the site of the explosion as shown in photos circulated by local activists. 

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the operation.

The attack comes in conjunction with the arrival of the newly-formed Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Aden.

Moreover, it comes less than two weeks after a jailbreak by AQAP members who escaped from a prison in Wadi Hadramout.

The 1st Military District which controls Wadi Hadramout has been accused of being behind the jailbreak.

Experts believe that there is a link between those incidents and deposing Yemeni Vice President, Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, who has a huge influence within the 1st Military District.

Al-Ahmar has a history of close ties with the jihadists in Yemen. Western reports dubbed the Northern General as being "the AQAP Godfather".

The AQAP issued a statement that attacked the new Presidential Council and pledged to fight it. Furthermore, it leveled accusations against the KSA and the UAE as well as delivering advices to the Muslim Brotherhood.