AL-JAWF – Armed men in Al-Jawf governorate prevented newly appointed Governor Mohammed Salem Bin Abood from entering a government compound Monday.

Sheikh Hassan Abu Hadra, head of Bakil’s Youth Forum, said clashes broke out Monday between the governor’s security guards and armed men. The men have been occupying the compound for more than one year.

Despite weapons clashes, nobody was injured in the dispute.

Abu Hadra said Al-Jawf is currently suffering from a security vacuum and sectarian conflict. He said the security issues arose after military forces left the governorate last year. Moreover, the governorate lacks health and educational services, causing anger among citizens.

Governor Bin Abood told the Yemen Times that several armed tribesmen incited the clash with his security guards. He said it occurred inside the government compound and that the tribesmen were angered because they thought the security guards intended to remove them from inside the compound.

“I’m ready to meet any illegal rights of each one, but I won’t allow breaking the law,” Bin Abood said. “The local authority is the supreme authority in Al-Jawf.”

Concerning the deteriorating situation in the governorate, Bin Abood said leadership in the governorate is determined to bring improved security to Al-Jawf, and appointing Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Odaini as the security chief of Al-Jawf is the first step in doing so. Bin Abood said his primary focus right now for the region is stability.

Bin Abood said preparations are being made to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the 26 September revolution, which marks the beginning of achieving stability in Al-Jawf.

Al-Jawf has been suffering from sectarian conflict for more than a year between the Houthis and Islah tribesmen. The conflict spread to many areas throughout the governorate, but tribal mediation has intervened and stopped it.