SANA’A — Majed Ali Al-Ansi currently lives in a state of tension and apprehension. A group of armed tribesmen chase him through Sana'a in a bid to murder him because of revenge between the Al-Maqadisha and Bani Garoon tribes from Damar governorate.

Al-Ansi chooses another way to live; he doesn’t believe in fighting between the tribes as a way to exist. He prefers to lead a civilized life in the city, away from problems and disputes. Al-Ansi holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering.

Lately, tribesmen affiliated with Bani Garoon tribe have exposed him to a series of threats. The threats herald killing and retaliation.

"I don’t know why these tribesmen keep chasing me. I have no problem with anybody,” Al-Ansi said, painfully. “My only problem is I am from Al-Maqadisha tribe that has a vengeance problem with another tribe.”

He said he’s made several complaints to different police stations; to date, no action has been taken.

Al-Absi displayed his resentment about the unstable security situation in Sana’a, which has turned into a place of vengeance for tribes. What makes him more resentful is the revenge problems claiming the lives of innocent victims. Many tribes involved with retaliation don’t chase a particular person for revenge; they target anyone—even the innocent—under the pretext that the innocent is from the tribe they want revenge against, Al-Ansi said.


Escape a route to live longer

Many years ago, a large number of Yemeni families fled to the capital city from the villages. They escaped from the ferocious revenge problems in their hometowns.  

Ahmed Al-Sahmi, from Sahman village in Khwalan district, said he departed his village 20 years ago to avoid problems and tribal disputes.

"I felt safe in the city; I forgot the village problems; however, I am no longer safe because revenge has reached Sana'a. It has not been limited to the village.”   

In the past few years, Sana'a witnessed the retaliation killings of many people. The murder of Sheikh Al-Dumani, from Bani Dhabian tribe, remains unsolved thus far, though he was killed on Hadda Street one year ago.

Al-Dumani dued while sipping a cup of tea in the cafeteria of Remas restaurant; the perpetrators fled the scene.  

The killer was 20-year-old Hussein Ahmed Al-Qadi from Sahman tribe in Khawlan district. It was a revenge killing. Al- Qadi's grandfather, Hussein Ali Al-Qadi, was killed by Qasim Al-Dumani, the brother of Sheikh Al-Dumani, twenty years ago.


Absence of security

Ali Saleh Al-Laei said Al-Dumani’s murderer was able to flee the capital city; security could not catch him. Once he arrived in his village, he opened fire as a token of victory, success and vengeance.

Al-Laei said there were many revenge incidents following the killing of Sheikh Al-Dubiani. Just one day after his death, Bani Dhabian tribe attacked Al-Sahman tribe. The confrontations between them ended in six people dead. Four were from Bani Dhabian; two were from Al-Sahman tribe. He indicated the problem is ongoing.

Many people in Sana'a, from Sahman tribe, fear that revenge could strike them next.

Abdullah Abdulwahab Dujna asserted that since the killing of Sheikh Al-Dumani, he has been seriously cautious while moving around the capital.

"I have been living in Sana's for seven years,” Dujna said. “I am a taxi driver and the wage winner of my family. I have no relation with revenge. I have never taken in tribal war. But I am afraid for being affiliated with Al-Sahman tribe that has conflicts with Bani Dhabian tribe.”

Six months ago, there was yet another revenge killing at Remas, Salem Al-Hubaishi, an employee in Remas restaurant, said.

"An armed man came in the restaurant. He shot a client dead with a pistol and fled.”

Al-Hubaishi said security personnel rushed to the scene and started investigating. The investigations could lead to the accusation of the wrong person; however, the restaurant's camera determined the identity of the criminal.

Security contacted the family of the killed person. The family was shown video footage of the operation. They identified the killer and knew that it was revenge.

Sheikh Mohammed Salah said Sana'a is suitable for revenge between the tribes because it is a place where lots of Yemenis assemble.

It is difficult to take revenge in the village; the tribe can protect its followers and the security and courts in village are absent, Salah said; thus revenge is easier in the city.

He said the absence of the state helps spread revenge in society, calling for the new government to take serious action to resolve vengeance-related issues. He said the security situation should be controlled so that Sana'a would not be a scene of retaliations.