Sheikh Yahya al-Ukeimi says to Yemen Times, No terrorists are safe here [Archives:2002/25/Interview]

Sheikh Yahya al-Ukeimi from the al-Jawf region, told the Yemen Times in a recent interview that tribes of the region are seeking to capture Qaed Snyian al-Harethi and Abu Assim al Ahdal, two of the most wanted al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen. He also revealed that tribes of the region are fully cooperating with the authorities to track down any possible terrorists in this remote part of Yemen.
Hassan Azzaidi of Yemen Times met Sheikh al-Ukeimi and filed the following interview.

YT: Can you tell us the source of todays tribal conflicts?
Todays tribal conflicts date back to the beginning of the post-revolution period. There were two sides: one supporting the Egyptian forces in Yemen and the revolution, the other side supported the Royalists. There was conflict for more than eight years during which tribes were subjected to brutality. After these wars came to an end under an international agreement, the second wing eventually came victorious and imposed its influence which dragged tribes into internal wars. If we examined tribal conflicts in Yemen we would notice that they only exist within the Bakeel tribes.
Tribal wars are fueled from the Capital, Sanaa itself. The government is in part responsible, top officials within the government exercise their influence arbitrarily in this issue.

YT: Do you agree that tribal areas are breeding grounds for terrorism?
I dont agree with this assumption because people of this region are not in line with Osama bin Ladens followers in terms of doctrine, creed or politics. Tribes are ready to fight these elements. We support the government in its anti-terror campaign and we would like to be forerunners in this effort.

YT: What is the reason behind the present tribal clash in al-Jawf?
It is a fight between two tribes in al-Jawf region, although they are being carried out under the name of combating terror.

YT: What weapons are being used and where do they come from?
In most cases they use 23 anti-air missiles, Rockets Projectile Grenades (RPG), field artillery and all ground weaponry with the exception of tanks. Tribes get these weapons from arms dealers and officials from Sanaa who sell from the army warehouses to keep tribesmen fighting each other.

YT: How can these wars be brought to an end?
This can be achieved by the existence of a credible government that is willing to put an end to tribal revenge. If you look at the present war in al-Jawf you will find that top military officials stand behind it. The battlefields of this war are located between military barracks in the region, this is to say the army is not willing to intervene to put an end to the bloodshed.

YT: Do you think this war has something to do with your brother, Sheikh and MP Amin al-Ukeimi, to broker a deal between the Islamist elements and the government to stop the bombing campaign in Sanaa?
I have no idea about the bombing campaign in Sanaa. Indeed, we have been told by top officials that the United States and Britain are responsible for those incidents with a view to aggravate the situation inside Yemen, while the Yemeni public thing that al-Qaeda sympathizers are responsible for that..

YT: Whats your opinion about the recommendations made in regards to revenge by the Shura Council last session?
There is no base for these recommendations since the Councils credibility is absent. When credibility exists the problem will be easily solved. It sounds that the ultimate objective of this Council is to pocket international assistance to Yemen. Particularly since they recognized that many donor agencies are willing to help by allocating money to eradicate this phenomenon.

YT: Lately, we have been hearing that the United States and other Western countries have allocated huge funds for developing tribal areas in Yemen, especially Mareb and al-Jawf to eradicate terrorism. Do you have any information about this assistance and how it will be distributed?
Actually, once a journalist said that Yemen is a graveyard for invaders and it will also be a graveyard for donated funds. Our region has not received any help and up until now we are still living the way our ancestors did centuries ago. There are no projects, all that we have is foundation stones laid without implemented projects.

YT: Do you think that there are links to al-Qaeda or other extremist elements harbored by your tribe?
We do not accept such elements in our tribe. And if anybody believes that we shelter such elements we are ready to let inspectors, even Americans to come and see for themselves.

YT: Whom do you think can reach this area to hide?
I m just setting an example.

YT: It has been said that Senyian al-Harethi and al-Ahdal, who are accused of being al-Qaeda leaders are in Mareb or al-Jawf. Whats your response to that?
These two are hiding in the eastern region of Yemen. Our tribesmen are chasing them to bring them to justice. We are in complete disagreement with these elements, either in political or religious doctrine.
We regard these elements as the main reason for our deteriorating relations with the president. Formerly, we stood with the president in fighting communism originating from the south and again against the Islamic extremism that existed in Sanaa. We did not want the president to show any leniency in these issues.
These problems are based in Sanaa and not in our poor tribal area where peoples main concern is to feed themselves, not harboring terrorists. Still, our tribal areas live in chaos, a situation that might be used by the these elements.

YT: Do you think unemployment and poverty are the reasons for kidnapping?
There are political entities that strive to keep tribes in their current status by preventing development here. This is because they think tribes would then become a threat to them. These issues have bred disappointment amongst tribesmen who then resort to kidnapping out of desperation. Therefore, I hold the government responsible for what is happening here.

YT: We always see you in Sanaa armed with your gun. Why do you do so?
To protect myself. Even in Sanaa there are many dangers that threaten our lives. There are many who aim to keep us in this position. They have created the situation of insecurity and instability in our region and they want to keep it this way.

YT: What prevents tribal stability?
Blood feuds, conflicts and sedition created by the regime. I request the Arab and international community to help Yemeni tribes solve problems of revenge that they might live quietly like other tribes of the Arab peninsula.

YT: You said earlier that the current tribal clashes are waged under the banner of fighting terror. How is that?
I demand an immediate cease fire for all these wars. Id like also to ask all agencies to send delegations to the region to see how miserably the tribesmen live. Then they could decide if this area is hosting terrorists. If this situation persists all people will turn into terrorists because of extreme poverty, hunger, deprivation of rights and violence. And as you know violence breeds violence. Yet, all Yemenis are against terror.

YT: If you find Senyian and al-Ahdal in your area what are you going to do?
We will arrest them and hand them over to the government or kill them. Our stance is clear and we have voiced it repeatedly. All officials know that, including the president.

YT: Have you ever met these fugitives?
I have only met Qaed Senyian al-Harethi in the desert. I attempted to broker a deal between him and the government on the basis that he should surrender himself to the government, but he just procrastinated.

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