"We don't fear the Saudis," he said.
Southeast of Sa'ada is the rural governorate of al-Jawf where anti-government tribes have been sweeping through territory in a campaign to seize government buildings and "reclaim them for the revolution."
Influencial Sheikh Sanan al-Iraqi has been leading his forces across the governorate throughout the past week.
"The governorate has been liberated by the revolutionaries," said al-Iraqi.
Tribes in al-Jawf also understand the importance of preserving infrastructure and securing state assets. The Sheikh stressed that all military and government buildings, and the supplies within, were not damaged.
"The central bank is still in control of Saleh's thugs. We have surrounded the bank to make sure the local government officials don't flee al-Jawf with assets belonging to the people of Yemen," said al-Iraqi.
"After military defections, Saleh replaced the commander of a major military base here with one of his loyalists. The soldiers rebelled against him and along with tribal assistance, we have retaken the camp," added the sheikh.
When asked about Saleh's claims that AQAP has been active in seizing territory in rural governorates, the sheikh was dismissive.
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