Tribal leaders and residents increase pressure on al-Qaeda in Radaa

Al-Qaeda fighters are still in control of the Ameriya madrasa in Radaa pictured above. [Khaled Abdullah Ali al-Mahdi/Reuters]

Al-Qaeda fighters are still in control of the Ameriya madrasa in Radaa pictured above. [Khaled Abdullah Ali al-Mahdi/Reuters]

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Tribal leaders and local residents of the Yemeni city of Radaa have increased pressure on al-Qaeda fighters who are attempting to declare an Islamic emirate in the city.

Tribesmen in the city's seven directorates have created a security fence around their respective areas to protect them from further encroachment by al-Qaeda and to cut off the supply of arms and armed fighters into the area, officials told Al-Shorfa.

Sheikh Ali al-Mansoury, deputy administrator of the al-Baidaa province for Radaa affairs, told Al-Shorfa that each tribe was committed to protecting their boundaries. His tribe was guarding the government building in the city.

The city's tribes control several government institutions that are located outside the central market and the Maidan district. These include the central hospital, the Co-operative and Agricultural Credit Bank, the Yemen Commercial Bank and a government compound that houses several government offices.

Al-Qaeda controls the section of the Maidan district where the Yemen Bank for Reconstruction and Development is located as well as the security headquarters, the Baghdadia mosque and the Ameriya mosque. Al-Qaeda fighters first stormed parts of the city on January 14th.

Radaa tribes reject al-Qaeda's conditions

Al-Mansoury said that during negotiations between the tribesmen and Tariq al-Thahab, "the emir of al-Qaeda in Radaa", al-Thahab demanded the creation of a national council to govern Radaa according to sharia law as a condition for al-Qaeda's withdrawal from the city. He also stipulated that council members be elected from the seven directorates and that a governor and a head of security should be appointed.

"The Radaa tribes rejected this proposal because Yemen is a democratic country governed by the ballot box and one that allows equal opportunities for everyone," he said. "Individuals who would like to run for office have to declare their candidacy and be part of the democratic process and not occupy the historical sites and monuments in order to control Radaa."

Al-Mansoury said al-Qaeda fighters now control about one-fourth of the city, especially the old city where the ruins and historical sites are located. He added that the terrorist group has cut off all roads leading to the area under their control.

"Some of the checkpoints the tribesmen established at the city's entrances constitute a blockade against armed persons or weapons entering or leaving the city. We are willing to hold al-Qaeda operatives captive if they do not respond to demands to evacuate the city peacefully," he said.

According to al-Mansoury, al-Thahab is a member of the Qifa tribe, and al-Qaeda controls one of the city entrances that is close to where the tribe resides. Some of the areas under the local tribesmen's control have now been handed over to Yemeni forces, including the eastern entrance to Radaa, which leads to the capital of al-Baidaa as well as areas located on the Sanaa- al-Baidaa road.

"Al-Qaeda members are telling people they want to establish God's sharia in Radaa, but they are deceiving people because there are peaceful and democratic ways of achieving this in Yemen," he said.

Tribes prepare to meet

Sheikh Ali al-Tairi, leader of the al-Arsh tribe, told Al-Shorfa the tribes in Radaa are planning a meeting to discuss ways to protect the city and eliminate al-Qaeda, either by imposing a debilitating blockade on the organisation's members or by outright attack.

"We do not want the Zinjibar scenario to be repeated in Radaa, and we want to avoid a state of war and conflict in the city," al-Tairi said, adding that the meeting's objective was to identify a unified strategy.

Local residents formed committees to protect their neighbourhoods and government institutions from any expansion by al-Qaeda, according to Abdullah Idriss, leader of the General People's Congress Party in Radaa. The committees were also charged with protecting citizens, their homes and their belongings.

Several confrontations between local residents and al-Qaeda members resulted in casualties on both sides, Idriss said.

Idriss told Al-Shorfa at least five people were killed, including two al-Qaeda fighters. Also, eight others were injured in clashes last Saturday in several areas of the city.

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  • READER COMMENTS

    جبريل

    2012-2-26

    I see that the attempt of Arab tribes to confront the elements of Al-Qaeda in Yemen is very important and will have positive results as to protecting the souls of many Yemenis in addition to saving their souls. I support the ideas of confronting whoever tries to exploit the current situation in Yemen. So, I urge Arab tribes to be united in Yemen in order to be as one hand and not to allow any group to exploit the situation again through carrying out the terrorist operations that spread death and destruction everywhere. All the Yemenis must agree on this and they should be committed to preventing the criminal and the terrorist elements from infiltrating the Yemeni people or exploiting the circumstances of the people, especially the hunger, poverty, corruption, and unemployment. People should be directed and monitored closely in this respect to maintain security in all the Yemeni cities. We can also count on the Yemeni tribes to confront al-Qaeda and fight to prevent them from imposing their presence on the land of Yemen. Of course, this is very negative and dangerous and the security forces are required to support the Yemeni tribes in this regard to prevent any element or member of Al-Qaeda from entering Yemen. In this way, we will maintain the security situation and security will be maintained in all cities and regions of Yemen.

  • نامق

    2012-2-22

    Throughout history, there have been a lot of events that were recorded by tribes. These events signify a lot of heroic legacy that has proven the strength of these Arab tribes and their ability to lift injustice from their countries. This is the way authentic Arab tribes in Yemen used to be, where they proved that they are courageous tribes that never condone harming the security of their country and their people. Therefore, the attempts of the Arab tribes to confront al-Qaeda groups in Yemen are positive moves. We bless all their courage and determination in fighting infidel terrorist groups and their lackeys. As we know, Yemen has been going through difficult circumstances over the past period of time. This encouraged al-Qaeda and its lackeys in some Yemeni cities to try to take advantage of such confusing conditions and appear on the Yemeni arena publicly, as the military and security services were busy with the ongoing situation in Yemen. Everyone noticed the heroic and virile role that the Yemeni tribes played in facing al-Qaeda. Unless the Arab tribes confronted al-Qaeda in Yemen, its influence could have been much bigger than at the present time and it could have managed to seize a lot of Yemeni cities and provinces.

  • فائز سالم

    2012-2-12

    Throughout history, there have been a lot of events that were recorded by tribes. These events signify a lot of heroic legacy that has proven the strength of these Arab tribes and their ability to lift injustice on their countries. This is the way authentic Arab tribes in Yemen used to be, where they proved that they are courageous tribes that never condone harming the security of their country and their people. Therefore, the attempts of the Arab tribes to confront al-Qaeda groups in Yemen are positive moves. We bless all their courage and determination in fighting infidel terrorist groups and their lackeys. As we know, Yemen has been going through difficult circumstances over the past period of time. This encouraged al-Qaeda and its lackeys in some Yemeni cities to try to take advantage of such confusing conditions and appear in the Yemeni arena publicly, as the military and security services were busy with the ongoing situation in Yemen. Everyone noticed the heroic and virile role that the Yemeni tribes played in facing al-Qaeda. Unless the Arab tribes confronted al-Qaeda in Yemen, its influence could have been much bigger than the present time and it could have managed to seize a lot of Yemeni cities and provinces.

  • ارشد عبدالصمد

    2012-2-12

    We must put an end to the terrorist operations taking place in Yemen. We all have to join efforts and bring a better life for Yemen. Indeed, the Yemeni tribes must remain steadfast and patient in order to achieve peace in their country. With God’s will, Yemen will see better days than before.

  • ناظم

    2012-2-12

    Thank God that the Yemeni issue is old and now it is witnessing a change. In fact, al-Qaeda and the Houthis have greatly affected Yemen. This is in addition to al-Hirak movement. In fact, the famous slogan of divide and conquer has been used by the head of the organization. Al-Qaeda has claimed the lives of many innocent people. In fact, al-Houthi was young and now his acts have become dangerous. Therefore, I would like to ask where the Governor of Abyan is. I know that Abyan includes many courageous leaders and heroes. However, what has happened raises a lot of questions about the security and military leaders as well as the religious scholars and tribes. I would like to say that you must remember the events which took place before the war of 1994. This is in addition to the bombing and assassination operations against the cadres of the province. In fact, the problem is that the citizens of Abyan have tried to get posts and money. This is in addition to the security and military leaders.

  • خليل ابراهيم طه

    2012-2-10

    Arab history includes a lot of evidence of the heroic acts which the Arab tribes carry out so as to defend and protect their country, even if this matter costs them their lives, money and children, as the country has a great status and a great debt on the necks of all the people. Therefore, everyone should defend and protect it from every attack, whatever its size, because the person who defends the country will obtain one of two good things, either victory or martyrdom for the sake of God, defending the country. This is indeed what the Arab tribes did in Yemen, as they carry out continuous attempts to stand in the face of the terrorist Al-Qaeda organization, which is seeking to cover the countries in bloodbaths, so as to control them and take over the rule, in order to make Yemen the aggressive base from which it will move to the rest of the countries in the region, to corrupt their security, kill their people and loot their wealth.

  • جمال مظهور

    2012-2-9

    The Yemeni people are under the worst kinds of humiliation and oppression; they are subject to the ugliest cowardly practices of injustice from the members of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization. Those criminals chop off the heads of innocent people; they force their dark and Takfiri jdeas , i.e. declaring others infidels and hence permissible to be killed, according to them, by force on the civilians. Whoever refuses or does not submit to those extreme thoughts will expose himself and his family to danger. In addition, this Takfiri organization seized a lot of people's money and property by stealing from shops and companies owned by the Yemenis in the areas controlled by the al-Qaeda terrorist organization. The practices of this criminal organization against the civilians are the dirtiest methods; we condemn them and condemn those infidels and criminals. They proclaimed themselves leaders of the innocent people through their crimes, such as applying punishments of chopping off heads and stoning or any of the Takfiri and criminal laws enforced by this organization in order to control civilians by means of weapons and bloodshed. I condemn all the practices of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization; they are criminal practices that we have to condemn, because they are targeting innocent people by claiming that they apply Sharia, which this organization and its followers believe in.

  • نذير صلاح

    2012-2-7

    There are a lot of despicable methods which are implemented by al-Qaeda and that they will be carried out in Yemen in order to control it by all means. The poor Yemeni people do not know what al-Qaeda wants from them and how they do their acts. The vile and hateful criminal acts carried out by al-Qaeda cannot be tolerated. There are many cities in Yemen that had been dominated by terrorism and terrorists, and they have imposed tough and harsh conditions. They want to possess Yemen by all means. However, they did not and will never be able to. Yemen is among the countries that are tired of suffrage. The great concern is upon them. The situation of women in Yemen has been made worse and the criminals of al-Qaeda had imposed tough terms. It is now impossible for her to go out of her house without a mahram and without passport or identity. If she wanted to go to the market, she can do so only for the necessities. Her situation has become very bad. She is a respectable woman and must be treated as any Arabic woman because she has the right to do whatever she wants.

  • نورالدين محمد

    2012-2-5

    If we scrutinize the psyche of terrorist organization members, we find that most of these people are mentally ill and of perverted behavior. They feel inferiority, subordinate and psychological complexes. They can never find a place among people except through killing and destruction enjoying the scene of blood and terrifying people to achieve their end. This situation in Yemen has become much graver, increasing the extent of suffering of the Yemeni people because of the acts and degraded ways that are practiced by the deviant groups that don’t respect human life. God bestowed on man life in order to construct land through good and noble means and He forbids assaulting it unless there is a justifiable reason. But what Al-Qaeda does is the complete opposite; it destroys earth by killing and shedding blood. It only knows the language of killing and spreading terror among safe people in cold blood. Terrorists inflict death on people’s lives taking advantage of the unstable security situation in Yemen while security forces are busy maintaining internal security. Therefore, terrorism has increased against civilians in order to achieve its goals of seizing the country.

  • علاءالدين سجادي

    2012-1-31

    There is unrest going on in the north; the Shia Houthis control three Yemeni governorates. The south of Yemen seeks independence. In the capital Sana'a, the armed tribal men and the dissident army forces control entire neighborhoods, fearing that Saleh will keep clinging to power. His family and his partisans are still controlling the authority and occupying the important positions in the country. All these elements led to the tribes being sympathetic towards the al-Qaeda organization. This will change with Saleh's departure, signing the GCC Initiative and the conflict of interests with the elements of the al-Qaeda organization. It also changed when al-Qaeda declared the southern Yemeni province as an "Islamic Emirate." The terrorists of the organization occupied Rada city in al-Bayda' governorate, northern Yemen. The Yemeni opposition and the sheikhs, i.e. leaders of tribes quickly accused the regime, its helpers and security forces of giving the city to al-Qaeda, turning the situation upside down. Accordingly, some tribes announced their support for the army against al-Qaeda. The first result is the withdrawal of the organization from Rada city. Some sheikhs of the tribes and witnesses said that the fighters of al-Qaeda totally left Rada City, located in the middle of Yemen. The city was controlled by them a week ago. They left after a successful mediation of the tribes' sheikhs. Some media resources mentioned that a statement linked to the al-Qaeda organization assures that the withdrawal from the city happened after pledging to release 15 prisoners. Some tribal resources said: "This pledge was actually given to the gunmen; they were also warned that the tribal men will fight them if they do not withdraw." Some tribal resources stated that agents of al-Qaeda completely withdrew from the positions they were controlling in Rada city, especially al-Amerya school, Rada Citadel and the Secret Intelligence Headquarters. They headed to the place of their leader, Tariq al-Dhahab, in a neighboring town. A mediator said: "The negotiations conducted by Sheikh Hashid al-Qusi and Sheikh Abdul Karim al-Maqdishi, in cooperation with the representatives of the seven mayoralties of Rada city, ended with an agreement that Tariq al-Dhahab and his group will leave the city. His requests will be fulfilled by releasing 15 of the detainees in the prisons of the secret intelligence service." Nabil al-Dhahab, the brother of Tariq, will be among the released prisoners. The people of Rada city fired gunshots in the air to express their happiness.

  • رشيد صياد

    2012-1-31

    The Yemeni tribes are still playing a role bigger than the role and function of the state. The tribal traditions are still considered the dominating law. The dominance, rebellion and disobeying the law and system committed by tribes have increased lately. This led to a state of insecurity and weakness, especially with the absence of the state's presence in dealing with the tribes. The Al-Qaeda terrorist organization made use of this situation filled with poverty, unemployment and the lack of development and civil services in the countryside and remote areas. Al-Qaeda also benefited from the Yemeni tribal traditions of feeling proud of having arms and weapons, in addition to the religious, intellectual and traditional extremism opposing the USA and the West.

  • امير جليل

    2012-1-25

    The Yemeni people must come up with a solution to that major problem, in order to stop the al-Qaeda organization and not give them enough opportunity to carry out the acts they wish. Yemen is a great country and if it is occupied by al-Qaeda, it will collapse. Al-Qaeda and its organization are claiming Islam and they do not want to apply the Islamic Sharia, but unfortunately they have surpassed all their limits and they are carrying out acts which are not related to the pure Islamic religion. The women in Yemen are the first to be oppressed, as they now provide the conditions for the woman and limiting her freedom in Yemen. They say that the woman has no freedom at all and if she goes out in the street, it must only be for necessity. This is one of the complicated conditions, and we do not like those conditions which are more complex. Yemen has gotten tired and it wants to live in peace and security. Those conditions could be easy, but there are more severe conditions in the future that nobody knows but God. What we wish to see happen in the near future is that each mean terrorist could be driven out of Yemen, and to help the Yemeni people to get rid of these pieces of rubbish that make Yemen an Islamic emirate, as they claim, when in fact they are completely away from Islam. God supports the right and the poor Yemeni people. May God grant them safety and security in it, because Al-Qaeda has transgressed its limits a great deal, and it is attacking the Yemeni people now more than before. There are many of the killed and the injured people everywhere, and God only knows what will happen to Yemen, but we say that we should be patient, as God supports the patient people. Please, God, bless all the Arab countries and get the terrorists out of them forever, especially out of the poor Yemen, which has suffered bitterly.