Alliance of Yemeni Tribes
Encyclopedia
The Alliance of Yemeni Tribes, sometimes referred to as the Yemeni Tribes' Alliance, is an alliance
of tribes in Yemen
opposed to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh
. It was formed on 30 July 2011 amidst the civil uprising in Yemen
to defend anti-government protesters. Its leader, Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar
of the Hashid
tribal federation, has also stated his intention to remove Saleh and his sons from power in his capacity as head of the Alliance.
The Alliance is headed up by a 116-member "consultative council".
that marked its inception, between 500 and 600 tribal leaders and chiefs attended. The Hashid, which are in revolt against the government despite being the tribe of Saleh himself, are known to be part of the coalition, as are the Bakil
, Yemen's largest tribal confederation and one whose members have clashed with government loyalists in Arhab District
during the uprising. Reportedly only some of the Bakil tribes were part of the Alliance originally, but days after its foundation, on 3 August, the Bakil's General Conference declared "full support" for anti-government tribal fighters in Arhab.
The tribes constituting the Alliance have been characterised in news media as "pro-revolution".
, a prominent defector from the Yemen Army who leads the 1st Armoured Division, the Alliance of Yemeni Tribes was declared on 30 July 2011. Sadiq al-Ahmar was designated as its leader. After his appointment, Sadiq al-Ahmar said, "Ali Abdullah Saleh will not rule us as long as I am alive." Tribal leaders comprising the Alliance vowed "to protect and defend ... the popular and peaceful revolution". The coalition also declared a de facto collective security
arrangement with the Yemeni protest movement, warning, "Any aggression or threat against the [protest] venues ... will be considered an attack against the tribes."
In a statement on 7 August 2011, the Alliance warned the government against conducting military operations in the Hasaba district of central Sana'a, an area seen as a bastion of the protest movement. The statement called on tribesmen to defend areas of the city claimed by the Yemeni opposition by any means necessary.
, especially in Sana'a
proper and the rugged Arhab District
to its north; Ma'rib Governorate
, east of Sana'a; and Ta'izz Governorate
, particularly in Yemen's second city
of Ta'izz
.
Collective security
Collective security can be understood as a security arrangement, regional or global, in which each state in the system accepts that the security of one is the concern of all, and agrees to join in a collective response to threats to, and breaches of, the peace...
of tribes in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
opposed to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Ali Abdullah Saleh
Field Marshal Ali Abdullah Saleh is the first President of the Republic of Yemen. Saleh previously served as President of the Yemen Arab Republic from 1978 until 1990, at which time he assumed the office of chairman of the Presidential Council of a post-unification Yemen. He is the...
. It was formed on 30 July 2011 amidst the civil uprising in Yemen
2011 Yemeni uprising
The 2011 Yemen Uprising followed the initial stages of the Tunisian Revolution and occurred simultaneously with the Egyptian Revolution and other mass protests in the Middle East in early 2011. In its early phase, protests in Yemen were initially against unemployment, economic conditions and...
to defend anti-government protesters. Its leader, Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar
Sadiq al-Ahmar
Sheikh Sadiq bin Abdullah bin Hussein bin Nasser al-Ahmar is a Yemeni politician and the leader of the Hashid tribal federation and the Al-Islah tribal confederacy. He succeeded his father Abdullah ibn Husayn al-Ahmar in these positions after Abdullah's death in 2007...
of the Hashid
Hashid
The Hashid tribal federation is the second largest tribal federation in Yemen. Member tribes of the Hashid Confederation are found primarily in the mountains in the North and Northwest of the country. It was headed by Sheikh Abdullah ibn Husayn al-Ahmar until his death on December 29, 2007 and is...
tribal federation, has also stated his intention to remove Saleh and his sons from power in his capacity as head of the Alliance.
The Alliance is headed up by a 116-member "consultative council".
Composition
The exact strength of the Alliance is unknown, but at the ceremony in Sana'aSana'a
-Districts:*Al Wahdah District*As Sabain District*Assafi'yah District*At Tahrir District*Ath'thaorah District*Az'zal District*Bani Al Harith District*Ma'ain District*Old City District*Shu'aub District-Old City:...
that marked its inception, between 500 and 600 tribal leaders and chiefs attended. The Hashid, which are in revolt against the government despite being the tribe of Saleh himself, are known to be part of the coalition, as are the Bakil
Bakil
The Bakil federation is the largest tribal federation in Yemen. Imam Yahya's campaign to subject the country, and more specifically the tribes, to his control, led him to undertake massive campaigns against their influence and power; in fact, his efforts succeeded in permanently eliminating all but...
, Yemen's largest tribal confederation and one whose members have clashed with government loyalists in Arhab District
Arhab District
Arhab District is a district of the Sana'a Governorate, Yemen. As of 2003, the district had a population of 90,038 inhabitants....
during the uprising. Reportedly only some of the Bakil tribes were part of the Alliance originally, but days after its foundation, on 3 August, the Bakil's General Conference declared "full support" for anti-government tribal fighters in Arhab.
The tribes constituting the Alliance have been characterised in news media as "pro-revolution".
Proclamations
At the headquarters of General Ali Mohsen al-AhmarAli Mohsen al-Ahmar
Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar is the general of the Yemeni army. He is rumored to be the half brother of the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh from a different father.. He serves as President Saleh's chief military adviser...
, a prominent defector from the Yemen Army who leads the 1st Armoured Division, the Alliance of Yemeni Tribes was declared on 30 July 2011. Sadiq al-Ahmar was designated as its leader. After his appointment, Sadiq al-Ahmar said, "Ali Abdullah Saleh will not rule us as long as I am alive." Tribal leaders comprising the Alliance vowed "to protect and defend ... the popular and peaceful revolution". The coalition also declared a de facto collective security
Collective security
Collective security can be understood as a security arrangement, regional or global, in which each state in the system accepts that the security of one is the concern of all, and agrees to join in a collective response to threats to, and breaches of, the peace...
arrangement with the Yemeni protest movement, warning, "Any aggression or threat against the [protest] venues ... will be considered an attack against the tribes."
In a statement on 7 August 2011, the Alliance warned the government against conducting military operations in the Hasaba district of central Sana'a, an area seen as a bastion of the protest movement. The statement called on tribesmen to defend areas of the city claimed by the Yemeni opposition by any means necessary.
Areas of operation
Though the exact composition of tribes party to the Alliance is unclear, anti-government tribal fighters have been known to be active in Sana'a GovernorateSana'a Governorate
San‘a’ is a governorate of Yemen. Its capital is San‘a’, which is also the national capital. However, the city of San‘a’ is not part of the Governorate but instead forms the separate district of Amanat Al-Asemah. The Governorate covers an area of 13,850 km²...
, especially in Sana'a
Sana'a
-Districts:*Al Wahdah District*As Sabain District*Assafi'yah District*At Tahrir District*Ath'thaorah District*Az'zal District*Bani Al Harith District*Ma'ain District*Old City District*Shu'aub District-Old City:...
proper and the rugged Arhab District
Arhab District
Arhab District is a district of the Sana'a Governorate, Yemen. As of 2003, the district had a population of 90,038 inhabitants....
to its north; Ma'rib Governorate
Ma'rib Governorate
Ma'rib is a governorate of Yemen. Its centre, Ma'rib, was established after the discovery of oil deposits in 1984. Ma'rib's population in 2004 was 241,619.-Districts:*Al Abdiyah District*Al Jubah District*Bidbadah District*Harib District...
, east of Sana'a; and Ta'izz Governorate
Ta'izz Governorate
Ta'izz is a governorate of Yemen. The governorate's capital is Ta'izz, which is the third largest city in Yemen. Other major towns include Al Sawa, Juha and the famous coffee port of Mocha. It has a total population of just over three million and an area of 10,677km².For such a small area, Ta'izz...
, particularly in Yemen's second city
Second City
Second City or The Second City may refer to:* The second largest city in a country. See: List of largest cities and second largest cities by country...
of Ta'izz
Ta'izz
Ta'izz , or Taiz, is a city in the Yemeni Highlands, near the famous Mocha port on the Red Sea, lying at an elevation of about 1,400 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Ta'izz Governorate...
.