Tribal mediation succeeds in neutralizing Yafa’a areas amid tensions with Sanaa forces

LAHJ, Sept. 15 (YPA) – A tribal mediation efforts led by sheikhs from the Yafa’a tribes in Lahj province have succeeded in neutralizing their areas and shielding them from the risk of armed confrontations with Sanaa forces, informed sources revealed on Tuesday.

Over the past several days, Yafa’a tribes rejected attempts by Saudi-aligned leaders to use their territory as a battlefield for Saudi operations against Sanaa forces.

Southern political activist Adel Al-Hassani said in a post on X that Yafo sheikhs, led by Sheikh Sami Dayan Al-Saadi, had reached an agreement to keep all Yafo areas neutral in any confrontation with Sanaa forces.

Al-Hassani said the agreement was reached following intensive tribal efforts led by Sheikh Al-Saadi to prevent bloodshed and protect Yafa’a’s villages and areas from destruction.

He said the agreement provides for each side to remain in its current position and for military movements to cease, although there has been no official confirmation so far from authorities in Sanaa regarding the information reported by Al-Hassani.

The development follows a call by Mohammed Al-Taheri, deputy head of the Sarar General Council in Yafa’a, urging tribal sheikhs, residents, and military and civilian leaders to assume responsibility for protecting their areas and thwart Saudi attempts to ignite armed confrontations in the region.

Al-Taheri said in statements earlier this week that Yafa’a tribes would not become a battlefield or a passage for what he described as suspicious groups against Sanaa forces, stressing the need to protect villages and areas from bombardment and destruction.

He said the firm position of Yafo residents is based on refusing to allow any attack on their territory while, at the same time, refraining from attacking the territories of neighboring tribes and areas in Bayda province.

AA