Tribal sources in Shabwah Governorate (southeastern Yemen) report heightened tensions in the As-Sayd district, south of the governorate, following the refusal of a tribal sheikh to surrender hostages to the "Giants Forces," a military force affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council. This refusal comes amidst efforts to prevent renewed clashes in the district.

Since July, As-Sayd district, south of the capital city of Ataq, has witnessed an armed conflict between the families of "Al-Abubakr bin Farid" and "Al-Ahmed bin Farid" from the "Awlaq" tribe, stemming from a blood feud.

Sources, who requested anonymity, told "Barran Press" that the "Giants Forces" have deployed additional military reinforcements to the district after Sheikh Abubakr Farid Al-Awlaki, the district governor, refused to hand over a number of his tribesmen as hostages to ensure compliance with a ceasefire between the families.

The sources explained that Sheikh Abubakr agreed to hand over the hostages, but only to the governor of Shabwah, Sheikh Awad bin Wazir Al-Awlaki, who had ordered the "Giants Forces" to enter the district to stop the fighting. However, the "Giants Forces" insist on receiving the hostages directly.

According to the sources, the "Giants Forces" are threatening to storm Sheikh Abubakr's home if he persists in refusing to hand over the hostages, mirroring their actions with the other party (Al-Ahmed bin Farid).

In response, the sources reported that large gatherings of Shabwah tribesmen have converged on Sheikh Abubakr's home to stand by him and mediate to prevent a confrontation between him and the "Giants Forces."

On Friday, forces from the "Southern Giants Brigades" arrived in As-Sayd district and began deploying to halt the fighting between the families, which has been ongoing for the past month. This deployment came after all previous tribal mediations and efforts to contain the situation failed.

"Barran Press" sources revealed that the "Giants Forces" have established checkpoints on roads and entrances to the center and districts of As-Sayd, as part of their efforts to stop the armed conflict through military force. This follows the refusal of both parties to the conflict to accept any of the initiatives and solutions proposed by tribal mediators throughout the current month, led by Sheikh Nasser bin Hussein Al-Diyani and Sheikh Salem bin Nasser Al-Marzouqi.

Sources stated that the "Giants Forces" deployment was carried out under instructions from the governor of Shabwah, Sheikh Awad bin Wazir Al-Awlaki, after the failure of tribal mediation efforts due to the intransigence of both parties to the conflict and their rejection of all proposed solutions from the tribal mediation.

Renewed clashes between the families occurred last Wednesday after the district governor, Sheikh Abubakr bin Farid bin Abubakr Al-Awlaki, was ambushed in the "Al-Masha" area while returning from Ataq, the governorate center, on August 7, 2024. The ambush resulted in the death of one of his escorts and injuries to two others.

The initial clashes between the families erupted in early July, involving heavy and medium weapons. This prompted the Southern Giants Forces and Shabwah Defense Forces to send a joint force from Ataq to stop the fighting. However, the force later withdrew after the conflict subsided, only for the clashes to erupt again following the aforementioned ambush.

Shabwah Governorate is experiencing unprecedented security chaos due to ongoing tribal conflicts and clashes between armed factions in the governorate. These conflicts have resulted in dozens of casualties and cast a shadow over security and community peace in the governorate.