Mahra tribes reject calls to form factions loyal to coalition

MAHRA, Dec. 28 (YPA) – Several sheikhs and tribes of Mahra province, eastern Yemen, strongly rejected on Saturday any moves to form the coalition-backed armed factions in the province.

In a meeting that included civil society and women’s organizations entitled “To keep Mahra safe and stable,” they called for solidarity and unification of positions to confront the current challenges and threats facing Mahra.

Sheikhs stressed the need to stand united behind the local authorities and security services to maintain security and stability in the province.

The meeting stressed the importance of improving the services provided to citizens in all fields, and working to combat extremism and terrorism that have recently emerged to threaten the security and stability of the region.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to establish the so-called Dera al-Watan factions, or Homeland Shield, including the extremist Salafist groups, which have proliferated in Mahra over the past years following the establishment of a number of preaching centers in Qishn and some areas.

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