Tribal Fighting and Al-Qaeda Activities Destablize Shabwah
Armed tribal clashes have multiplied in Shabwah in South Yemen in line with the fragile presence of the security authorities in the province. On Saturday, local sources said two people were killed and others were wounded in tribal clashes in the Osailan and Haban districts of Shabwah.
Two tribes, Al Dhaif Allah and Al-Maqariha, in Osailan district clashed on Saturday, leaving one person dead and several injured. Similarly, tribal fighting erupted between Al Hamad and Al Al-Shaibah tribes in Haban district, leaving one person dead and several injuries.
The inadequate presence of the security forces has given rise to armed tribal confrontations, which have robbed Shabwah of stability, according to the sources.
Last month, armed tribal clashes broke out in three districts: Haban, Markha Al-Sufla and Al-Ain. Land disputes and revenge have been the major reasons for such tribal confrontations, the sources said.
In August last year, the UAE-backed Shabwah Defense Forces and the Southern Giants Brigades took over Shabwah after a few days of clashes with pro-government troops. Since then, the province has been beset by recurring tribal fighting and intensifying Al-Qaeda activities.
A recent report by Sheba Intelligence has revealed the growth of Al-Qaeda and how it developed its operations in Shabwah province. According to the report, Al-Qaeda has gradually directed its activities towards the southern governorates since 2022, and two-thirds of its activities occurred in Shabwah and Abyan provinces between 2022 and mid-2023.
Al-Qaeda began using drones in May this year. Sheba Intelligence documented eight drone attacks by the Al-Qaeda group in Shabwah. All the drone attacks were launched in the Al-Musaina district of Shabwah.
In August 2022, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) fighters launched a military operation, "Arrows of the East," to eradicate the terror elements in Abyan and Shabwah. However, Al-Qaeda continues to pose serious threats in Yemen, particularly in Shabwah and Abyan.
Yemeni military and political observers say the separatist takeover of Shabwah created a security vacuum that gave rise to tribal feuds and increased terrorist operations.
