Child killed in tribal fighting [Archives:2007/1030/Local News]

SANA'A, March 4 – Armed clashes between Sheikh Yasser Al-Awadhi tribesmen from Al-Beidha governorate and Al-Musali sheikh from Sanhan, part of Sana'a governorate, took place last Thursday after security was unable to mediate between the two parties. However, confrontations didn't last for long because several dignitaries intervened to resolve the problem. The conflict was because of a large land dispute around 26.4 square kilometers. when an 11 years old child from Al-Awadhi tribe was killed in the armed clashes, the other tribe swore revenge and demanded either the head of the tribe's death, sheikh Taha Al-Musali or the disputed land. As he returned home from school on Sunday, Feb. 19, the boy was killed in front of his family's house by a sheikh from Sanhan and his escorts in a way running counter to all human norms and tribal customs.

Sheikh Al-Musli arrived at a local hospital in Sana'a because of injuries in both arms and one leg and was heavily guarded by security and his bodyguards for fear of revenge. After being guarded for around 7 days he left to his village under sever security measures.

The confrontations occurred at the capital city's southern entrance and both parties used small arms. According to eyewitnesses, security forces didn't interfere in the fighting. The Awadhi tribe gave security one week, starting from Thursday, Feb. 22, to catch those accused of killing him.

A statement issued by Al-Beidha tribes denounced the crime and asked the Interior Ministry to arrest those who committed it and refer them to judiciary within one week; otherwise, Al-Awadhi tribe will deal with the issue and avenge the child's innocent blood.

However a confidential source to Yemen Times told that security has taken most of the influential people of both tribes including the mediators into custody in order to stop the issue from escalating. Security promised to refer the case to court and enforcing the rule of law.

The Yemeni Child Parliament on Sunday denounced the child's murder at the hands of influential individuals, further requesting concerned authorities hold accountable those responsible and refer them to judiciary soon. The parliament also assured that it will stand against all such practices and crimes.
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