Yemen's Shabwa governor warns tribes against aiding terrorists

Shabwa's governor on Friday (July 7th) warned local tribes in the province against harbouring terrorist elements after a number of tribesmen helped a terror cell leader escape, officials told Al-Mashareq.

Governor Ali al-Harithi urged tribal sheikhs to co-operate with Yemeni security forces, stressing the big role tribes play in helping maintain security in their areas.

"We held a meeting with tribal sheikhs and advised them not to co-operate with terrorists and suspicious or wanted elements because this would tarnish the tribe's reputation and could hold them legally liable," al-Harithi told Al-Mashareq.

"Everyone, especially tribes in areas around Shabwa's provincial capital of Ataq, must co-operate with the security agencies whose performance has greatly improved recently," he said, stressing the security agencies' readiness to deter anyone plotting to undermine the stability of the province.

Al-Harithi lauded the tribes' role in preserving security and supporting stability.

"They have been in the forefront of forces fighting terrorism," he said.

Stability 'beneficial for all'

Shabwa police chief Brig. Gen. Awad Massoud al-Dahboul told al-Mashareq that "the role of the tribes in preserving security and stability is very important".

This is particularly important in Shabwa, where each tribe inhabits a certain geographical area, he said.

"Their co-operation with us in arresting wanted and terrorist elements is necessary as stability will be beneficial for all," he added.

"The meeting of the governor and security committee with tribal sheikhs was convened after a terrorist escaped with the help of a tribe," al-Dahboul said.

Tribesmen facilitated his escape due to tribal customs and traditions, and the fact that he was being pursued by members of another tribe, he explained.

"The tribe did not know he is wanted by security agencies for terrorism-related charges," he said.

Al-Dahboul said the suspect is the leader of a cell that was planning assassinations of security and local officials in Ataq.

Security forces on Tuesday (July 4th) arrested two elements of the cell who were riding a vehicle carrying explosives, he said.

Tribes in Shabwa province play an important role in assisting security forces to maintain stability in their areas, he said.

"Cases involving tribes aiding terrorists are rare and attributable to tribal customs and norms, or non-awareness of the danger these elements pose," al-Dahboul said.

"The tribes co-operate with us and play a major role in the province's stability and security," he said.