Map: Al Bayda Tribes

Al Bayda is a governorate at Sana’a’s backdoor through which primary routes connecting the capital to the southern governorates run. A city in al Bayda, Rada’a, is just 100 miles from the Yemeni capital, and remains vulnerable to militant attacks. There is concern that militants could use al Bayda as a staging ground for attacks in the capital. Al Bayda tribes such as the Awadhis or the Qayfis are not reliable allies against encroachment by militant groups al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and its insurgent wing Ansar al Sharia. Awadhis have expressed resentment of the Yemeni regime and its exclusionary practices.[1] The Qayfis are unstable, and, in fact, have produced some of the leaders of Ansar al Sharia.[2]

Click graphic to enlarge.

Sources

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“Sheikhs and Elders of al Rasas condemn the terrorist attack that targeted the president,” al Bida Press, June 11, 2011 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.albidapress.net/news.php?action=view&id=13852#.UIrLm2_R4k8

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“Tribes and people of al Bayda governorate and its districts,” Khabar Biladi, February 21, 2011 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.khbarbladi.com/yemen/theme_vstpart.php?co_part=9341#.UE84BLJmTeA

“Video of two killed youths of Al Hamiqan dead and two killed Republican Guard soldiers after Al Hamiqan denied military entry to al Had Yafa',” al Baida News, April 24, 2011 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.albaidanews.com/news.php?action=view&id=3376

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Nasser Arrabyee, “Yemen al-Qaeda: “Death for the enemies of al –Qaeda ‘wherever they are,’” Yemen Observer, August 2, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10022172.html