SANAA, Nov 8: Clashes between Yemeni tribesmen and security guards protecting a Ukrainian oil company left 16 people dead on Thursday in Shabwa province east of the capital in a dispute over jobs, the defence ministry said.

“The clashes that occurred this morning in front of the Ukrainian oil firm... saw the death of 16 people, which included 10 soldiers and six tribesmen,” provincial Governor Mohammed Ali Rwishan was quoted as saying by the website of defence ministry newspaper “September 26”. He added the unit’s commander Abdullah Alwan and his driver were among the dead.

A security source said earlier the men who fought the soldiers were from the Belharith tribe.

Witnesses said the clashes began when tribesmen, angry that the oil firm had rejected their requests for employment, prevented staff from working.

Armed tribesmen set fire to a military vehicle and held six soldiers hostage for several hours before finally releasing them.

“Tribal leaders were contacted by very senior officials in Sanaa, who gave assurances that they would intervene to end the clashes and settle the problem,” a tribal source said.—AFP