Sources: Washington Obstructs Efforts to Resume Yemeni Oil Exports Despite Growing Sana’a–Riyadh Rapprochement

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

Government and local sources in Hadramout Governorate have revealed the existence of international and regional obstacles hindering efforts to resume Yemeni oil exports, as negotiations continue between Sana’a and Riyadh aimed at reaching understandings on restarting the country’s oil export sector.

According to informed sources cited by Al Jazeera’s Yemen affairs editor, the U.S. administration has expressed reservations about Saudi efforts to reach an agreement with Sana’a that would allow the resumption of oil exports from Yemeni ports, adding new complications to the ongoing negotiations between the two sides.

Ongoing Negotiations and Mutual Pressure

According to the sources, intensive drone activity over certain Yemeni regions has coincided with the continuation of Yemeni–Saudi consultations regarding the oil file. They indicated that Riyadh is pushing to finalize an agreement that would enable the resumption of export operations after a prolonged suspension.

The sources added that the oil sector has become one of the most prominent issues on the negotiating table due to its economic significance and its direct impact on living conditions and public revenues across the country.

Hadramout at the Center of the Scene

These developments come amid recent security and military incidents in Hadramout Governorate, including reported attempts targeting the governor of the province, Salem Al-Khanbashi, against a backdrop of escalating tensions among local and regional actors competing for influence in the oil-rich governorate.

Observers believe that Hadramout has become a central pillar in the political and economic arrangements related to the future of Yemen’s energy sector, particularly given its strategic location and its hosting of the country’s most important oil fields and facilities.

Regional Differences Over the Oil File

Available information suggests that the United States is not the only party expressing reservations regarding new oil-related understandings. Sources indicate that there are also regional actors opposed to any Saudi-Sana’a agreement on resuming exports, including the United Arab Emirates.

These positions reflect the complexity surrounding Yemen’s oil sector, where regional and international interests intersect and political, economic, and security dimensions are deeply intertwined.

Significant Economic Importance

The resumption of oil exports is widely viewed as an important step toward supporting Yemen’s economy and strengthening public revenues at a time when the country faces growing economic and humanitarian challenges. As a result, any progress on this issue is being closely monitored by various local and regional stakeholders.