Yemen's Hadramaut bans civilians from bearing firearms

Hadramaut province's initiative to ban the carrying of weapons in the city of al-Mukalla and other main cities in September has contributed to increased stability, officials and residents told Al-Mashareq.

The move is the latest in a string of security successes achieved by the Hadramaut elite forces after they cleared the Hadramaut coast of al-Qaeda elements, they said.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was expelled from al-Mukalla in April 2016.

"Hadramaut is the first province to be liberated from the terrorists’ control and the first to succeed in banning weapon-carrying in a way that bolsters the climate of development and stability," said Hadramaut deputy governor for youth affairs Fahmi Badawi.

The province was teeming with militants and weapons after al-Qaeda seized control of it in April 2015, he told Al-Mashareq, "and now it is a model to follow after its liberation and the expulsion of al-Qaeda terrorists from it".

"Banning weapon-carrying is necessary to safeguard people's lives and affirm the authority of the state," he said.

It will help to establish a system of governance that applies to all, he added.

"After the liberation of al-Mukalla, the military region's command issued directives to all citizens and security and military agencies banning weapon-carrying," he said.

Citizens entering Hadramaut have to hand over their weapons to the security forces stationed at the various entrances to the province, he said, adding that they can retrieve them upon leaving the area.

Hadramaut rejects violence

Hadramaut residents have helped ensure the success of the move to ban the bearing of arms, said Badawi, as they "reject violence and stigmatize carrying weapons as an accessory, as is the case in other parts of the country".

He praised the role of residents in reporting individuals carrying weapons, thus contributing to enhanced stability and security.

Media campaigns have been conducted to raise awareness against weapon-carrying, he said, adding that youth initiatives and mosque imams have also had a role in promoting the initiative.

The success of the initiative can be attributed to "the strict measures taken to ban the bearing of arms and the legal action taken against those who do it", said 2nd military region spokesman Hisham al-Jabri.

"Checkpoints are set up at the entrances of Hadramaut coast districts, especially the capital al-Mukalla, to search for weapons," he told Al-Mashareq.

Citizens are to hand over any weapons found in their possession to the officers in charge of the checkpoints and are given vouchers that would permit them to retrieve their weapons upon their departure, he said.

Strict measures were put in place that include a thorough search for weapons upon a person’s entry into the city, Jabri said, adding that women are searched by female inspectors whose "number is estimated to be in the dozens".

Female inspectors are stationed at several checkpoints, he said, "which has prevented terrorists and wanted criminals from disguising themselves as women to avoid being searched".

Residents comply

"Residents have been highly co-operating with the security measures after seeing that they led to a total ban on weapon-carrying in the city," Jabri said.

"Weapon-carrying is rejected by Hadramis because they are a peaceful society," said Hadramaut native Arwa Mohammed, 45, who works as a teacher.

"The sight of weapons in a peaceful city sparks dread and fear," she told Al-Mashareq. "We know full well that weapons are made to protect the country, not frighten its people."

Mohammed said she supports all initiatives that aim to protect cities and their inhabitants from the dangers that may result from carrying weapons.