“Balabeed” tribes demand that UAE-backed factions be held accountable in Shabwa
SHABWA, Feb. 20 (YPA) – The Balabeed tribes in Shabwa province, eastern Yemen, demanded on Thursday the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the “Fourth Shabwa Defense Brigade” forces supported by the UAE from their lands.
This call came after the bloody events that took place in the Wadi Dahar area at the beginning of the week, which resulted in the killing of civilians, in addition to the storming and burning of homes by the UAE-backed factions’ elements.
In their statement issued after a meeting held in Masht area, the tribes renewed their rejection of these attacks that targeted the homes of the Al-Bathnia family in Wadi Dahar, describing them as flagrant violations of tribal laws and customs.
They also demanded that those involved in these crimes be held accountable and the rights of the Balabeed tribe be restored, calling for the arrest of the perpetrators responsible for the killing of the citizens “Barwai and Bin Abdulaziz” and bringing them to justice.
The tribes directed accusations to the pro-UAE governor of Shabwa, Awad Al-Wazir, holding him responsible for the state of security chaos. They called for serious and rapid action to redress the victims and protect the rights of the tribe’s members.
The statement stressed the need for the Balabeed tribesmen to obtain their legitimate right from the revenues of the Aqla oil field located on their lands, amid conditions characterized by the absence of basic services such as road networks, electricity, water and health care.
The tribes’ statement also called on the state leadership and the government loyal to the Saudi-led coalition to recruit 10,000 soldiers from the Balabeed tribesmen into the ranks of the armed forces, in addition to reinstating those dismissed from the tribe without justification. It emphasized that these initiatives will contribute to achieving security and stability for the region.
This escalation comes amid increasing tensions within the oil-rich Shabwa province as a result of the military deployment of armed factions supported by the UAE, which include extremist Salafist elements, including individuals linked to Al-Qaeda.
YPA