Barran Press
A tribal mediation effort has successfully brokered a six-month truce between the Al-Fujaih and Al-Rashid Munif tribes in Marib Governorate, ending a year-long conflict over disputed land. The agreement, reached on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, appoints legal representatives to resolve the land dispute.
Sources close to the mediation told Barran Press that the agreement was reached late Sunday evening. The truce will last for six months, during which time legal representatives Sheikh Hassan Al-Sulaiman and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Bazli will work to resolve the land dispute.
The mediation imposed strict conditions on both sides to ensure compliance, including the provision of "arbitration witnesses" in the form of vehicles, weapons, and financial guarantees. This measure aims to deter either side from violating the truce.
The conflict between the two tribes, both belonging to the larger Abidah tribe, erupted in May 2023, following a dispute over a piece of land known as "Mubshar" in the eastern part of Marib Governorate. The dispute had its roots in a 2022 incident that led to the death of a member of the Al-Rashid Munif tribe.
A Timeline of Conflict and Reconciliation:
December 16th, 2022: The first clashes erupt between the two tribes in the "Mubshar" area, resulting in the death of Hassan Mohammed Ibn Hassan Wahyt, a member of the Al-Rashid Munif tribe.
December 17th, 2022: Tribal mediation led by Sheikh Nasser Rakan Al-Sahaqi from Marib and Shabwah successfully establishes a truce and sets the stage for resolving the land dispute.
May 15th, 2023: Local mediation headed by Sheikh Hamad Bin Ali Ibn Jalal Al-Obaidi convinces both sides to submit the land dispute to the governorate's legal system.
May 18th, 2023: Despite the agreement to seek legal resolution, renewed clashes erupt, resulting in seven fatalities on both sides. Mediation efforts fail to contain the escalating conflict.
May 19th, 2023: A tribal mediation led by Sheikh Ali Bin Hassan Bin Gharib Al-Obaidi and Sheikh Hamad Bin Jalal Al-Obaidi establishes a 48-hour ceasefire to allow for further mediation and conflict resolution.
May 20th, 2023: The ceasefire collapses, leading to more intense and widespread fighting with various weapons. Casualties extend beyond the two tribes, and civilian infrastructure, including camps for displaced persons and public markets, are damaged. The fighting continues into the following day.
May 22nd, 2023: Mediation led by Bin Gharib and Bin Jalal successfully halts the fighting and imposes an eight-day ceasefire. Each side is required to provide a tribal leader as a guarantor of the ceasefire, along with a financial guarantee of 2 million Saudi Riyals and ten vehicles. The mediation also mandates an oath-taking ceremony to determine who initiated the firing and violated the previous ceasefire.
May 23rd, 2023: The oath-taking ceremony regarding the ceasefire violations is conducted. The Al-Munif tribe presents 11 witnesses regarding the first ceasefire violation, while the Al-Fujaih tribe presents 22 witnesses regarding the most recent violation. Following the oath-taking, the mediation completes the collection of financial guarantees from both sides, including ten vehicles and 2 million Saudi Riyals each.
May 23rd, 2023 (Evening): The mediation begins dismantling all newly established combat positions by both sides and directs each party to return to their pre-May positions.
May 24th, 2023: The dismantling of combat positions is completed. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Bin Jalal and Sheikh Ali Bin Hassan Bin Gharib are selected to arbitrate the events of the war, the damages inflicted, and the resulting consequences.
June 5th, 2023: Sheikh Ali Bin Hassan Bin Gharib delivers his verdict in the case. He rules against the Al-Munif tribe for violating the ceasefire, imposing a "Mahdish Marbou'a" (a specific financial penalty) of 66 million Yemeni Riyals. He also establishes a panel of legal representatives to assess the damages inflicted on the Al-Fujaihtribe and mandates an oath-taking ceremony to confirm the tribe's claims.
June 5th, 2023 (Continued): Sheikh Gharib also issues a "Hukm Al-Aib" (a ruling against defamation) regarding the distribution of videos and images depicting the fighting and its consequences. The first case is then referred to Sheikh Jalal to rule on the firing upon homes, hospitals, and markets.
June 20th, 2024: The Al-Fujaih tribe travels to the Markha district of Shabwah Governorate to seek arbitration for the death of Abdullah Talib Ali Hassan Jawban, who was killed during the May 2023 fighting.
June 20th, 2024 (Continued): The Jawban tribe issues a ruling of 120 million Yemeni Riyals. However, a third of the amount (70 million Riyals) is waived due to the Al-Fujaih tribe's reputation and their allies. An additional 10 million Riyals is waived for the Shabwah tribes, 5 million Riyals for the mediator and guarantor, leaving a remaining balance of 105 million Riyals. After negotiations, the final amount is reduced to 68 million Riyals, which is paid directly by the Al-Fujaih tribe.
July 28th, 2024: Mediation successfully establishes a six-month truce and appoints Sheikh Hassan Al-Sulaiman and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Bazli as legal representatives to resolve the land dispute between the two tribes.