General and soldiers released

Tensions remain over murder of Sheikh

Brigadier General Abdul Nasser al-Qawsi, commander of the Central Security branch in Taiz, along with 6 soldiers captured by tribes in the Sharab district were released midnight Friday, said Hamid Ali Abdo, head of the General People  Congress (GPC) branch in the Sharab district last Friday. They were accompanied by military trucks to the Taiz governorate. 

Al-Qawsi was attacked during his return from an Eid celebration visit in a trap set by an armed group on Wednesday at 11:30 P.M.  The attack caused death of 3 soldiers and the injury of 9 others. Al-Qawsi had not injured.

The surprise attack was executed over events surrounding the murder of the late Sheikh Abdulsalam al-Qaisi. Following the murder, three government soldiers were sentenced to death and five others were jailed. The attackers held al-Qawsi hostage, demanding that the commanding officers that ordered the mercenary soldiers into the regions be put to death as well, for they broke an agreement with the tribes of Sharab that no government soldiers should enter without invitation.

Meanwhile, a committee consisting of representatives from a number of government ministries as well as concerned citizens was formed to investigate these recent incidents. In a statement issued by sheiks, prominent people and concerned citizens of Taiz said that some political powers used the murder of Sheikh Abdulsalam al-Qaisi to further break agreements and shake security and raise disturbance in the governorate. It pointed out that the government should do its duty and offer the additionally accused of the al-Qaisi murder to be brought justice. 

The statement said that the government committee quickly formed to look into the al-Qaisi murder has not been taken seriously by the concerned parties. They cited emotionally-charged crowds gathering during court sessions in hopes of obstructing the justice system as one example.

“It seems that there are some who do not appreciate what their country is doing to ensure justice and safety, and are working to raise further conflicts,” the statement went on to say.
 
“Some of them considered the al-Qaisi murder as chance for public appearances, even with this case’s issues of innocent blood and justice.”    ‬The statement pointed out that the blood-running, lost souls, further disturbing the safety of the people, and preventing security sources from doing their duties are criminal acts rejected by Islamic sharia and law and traditional local conventions. 

The statement asks sheikhs and intelligence organizations, parties and citizens of the region to stand in the face of such acts and support the government in taking necessary procedures to stop them.  

Sources said that the security system will not make light of these incidents once the perpetrators of this latest kidnapping are captured, and will offer them up to the arms of justice. Security officers are asking citizens to cooperate in keeping security and safety in the region.   

Despite these pleas of the government and its supporters, the tribes and sheikhs of Sharab have refused the instructions of the governor of Taiz to submit the 15 wanted militants that took part in the abduction of General al-Qawsi and in the killing of the 3 soldiers and injuring 9 other soldiers, and have threatened to fight any government intervention. They have begun the construction of barricades and reinforcements, and have stationed defense personnel on mountaintop look-out posts.  A sheikh told Ma’reb press that they would not surrender to the government, and are willing to fight back. Any irresponsible act by government authorities will be challenged. 

According to Mareb Press many women and children have left the Sharab regions for the safety of nearby districts.

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