Marib tribes pledge allegiance to government

Naji Bin Ali al-Zaidim Marib Governor.

Marib Governor Naji Bin Ali al-Zaidi confirmed that Marib Governorate tribes have presented a written document to stand by the state, pledging not to embrace or provide shelter to al-Qaeda members, as well as promising to disavow and punish whoever supports or provides services to al-Qaeda groups.
 
“Al-Qaeda members who are hiding in Marib are not Marib citizens,” al-Zaidi explained, “but they are strangers who are exploiting the hospitality of the Marib people to hide and plan for their terrorist operations.”
 
The Governor considers the geographic climate of Marib to be one of the fundamental causes for the wholesale branding of Marib as a safe haven for terrorists. Particularly, the dessert’s transitional nature and strategic location between several regions make it an irresistible wilderness for those seeking privacy. Insurgent groups have taken advantage of its nomadic nature, as well as the generosity of its people and made it a hub for their terrorist operations, the Marib Governor added.
 
He denied the idea of al-Qaeda having strong hold of sweeping areas within Marib province, but emphasizing that terrorists have moved into the governorate and other areas, disguised as locals and relying on the ethics, tolerance and generosity of the nomadic people. He pointed out that local tribes have become more cautious after witnessing the results of their previous actions.
 
The damage of terrorism is not confined only to the people of Marib. “They are targeting the whole world through our province, because Yemen, several Arab and foreign countries all have interests in this province,” al-Zaidi said.
 
The governor stressed that there is an awakening in the area, adding that there are tight security measures at the oil facilities and the economic interests in the province. He also said that they are planning an integrated security plan to protect oil and electrical facilities, in order to insure their delivery outside the province without any interruptions or malfunctions.
 
He said that the security authorities in the governorate have made wide progress in combating al-Qaeda, saying that the Marib people have made undertaken unprecedented cooperation with the state in this regard.
 
Al-Zaidi said that he summoned the Marib sheikhs and warned them in the presence of the governorate’s security commander against providing shelter or cooperating in any manner with any al-Qaeda elements. This action resulted in the tribes’ pledge to cooperate with the state in the fight against al-Qaeda in Yemen.

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