Tribal Violence Threatens Development and Peace in Al-Jawf, Mareb and Shabwa

Field studies show that Al-Jawf province comes in first place as for tribal conflicts where 56 conflicts in 12 districts exist. It was followed by Mareb with 53 tribal conflicts in 12 districts. Shabwa governorate came in third place with 38 conflicts in 11 districts.

The study prepared by a number of sociologists in Yemen including Sana'a University's sociology professor Abdu Ali Othman and researcher Ahmed Al-Jabali from Researches and Studies Center. The study that targeted the three provinces pointed out that conflict can expand to include a whole district and some times, a whole province. 

As for the time span, the study indicates that 40 percent of conflicts date back to the early 1980s, 38 percent occurred between 1958 and 2000 and 22 percent occurred between 2000 and 2005. The total number of tribal conflicts recorded till 2005 reached 185.

These conflicts do not involve an individual, a family or a group but tribes fighting each other at an extended level.

Further, the study hinted these conflicts are on the increase and just 6 percent of them had been resolved. The years 2001–2005 witnessed the highest figures as for new tribal conflicts and researchers attribute this to the absence of state institutions' role like judiciary and security together with lack of development projects which could help create stability.

Revenge comes in first place and it is a result of the tribal conflicts. Othman states that 75 percent of the 612 men, women and children in the studied areas lost their lives over the period 2000–2005 under revenge conflicts.

77 percent of respondents in Al-Jawf, 71 percent in Shabwa and 64 in Mareb reported revenge incidents in their tribes because of tribal conflicts. Local authority sources noted the number of those injured during 2000–2005 for the same reason had reached 1,360.

These tribal conflicts have badly reflected in tribesmen’s lives in these provinces, and it has affected its stability and development. They have prevented students from joining schools and universities, prevented people from receiving medical care, hindered the implementation of some medical campaigns and development projects.

Al-Jabali remarked that bad economic and social effects are caused by the long period of conflicts and poverty augments in areas living under continous tribal conflicts.

According to the study, only 9 conflicts had been resolved while the rest can be divided to three main groups:

First: those conflicts which witness continuous fighting with no truce and represent 35 percent of the total number of tribal conflicts.

Second: tribal conflicts permeated with truces and they represent 35 percent as well.

Third: resolved conflicts whose truces are about to come to an end and these represent 11 percent.

About 50 percent of Sheikhs and 70 percent of local councils' members stress the importance of having security departments in their areas to work in securing mosques, markets, schools, hospitals and roads, together with adopting tribal law of 'Tahgeer' (to pay money and slaughter bulls in return for firing at public places).

In return, most respondents believe that the best way for treating revenge issues is forming a committee to resolve the pending tribal conflicts. Having police departments and courts as a solution for the crisis in these districts took up 5 to 8 percent of respondents choices.

Thus, tribal conflicts endanger people's future and development in the three provinces as immediate measures should be taken by the government along with joint efforts by all to put a limit for such issues that leave bad effects in provinces rich in agriculture, minerals and monuments.