This map depicts tribal areas in the southern governorate of Abyan

July 25, 2012

Map: Approximate Locations of Abyan Tribes

Sasha Gordon

This map depicts tribal areas in the southern governorate of Abyan.

The Fadhli and Awlaki are two of the most powerful tribes in the Abyan area. Jaar, Zinjibar, and Shaqra, cities that comprised Ansar al Sharia’s “emirate” in Abyan, fall in Fadhli territory. Tariq al Fadhli, a local potentate whose career has been marked by fluctuating alliances, is the paramount sheikh of the Fadhli confederation. He and Ansar al Sharia militants fled into the Maraqisha mountains surrounding Shaqra, according to recent reports.[1] Only smaller sub-tribes like the Audhali and Diyani have consistently combated Ansar al Sharia over the past year.

 
Click graphic to enlarge.

Sources

Ahmed al Shamiri, “The tribes...the core and prop of the state,” Okaz, May 12, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.okaz.com.sa/New/Issues/20120521/Con20120521504668.htm

Abu Abdullah al Alhi, “Dathina (al Dathina),” Alh Tribe Council, December 12, 2010 [Arabic]. Available: http://alhtribe.net/vb/showthread.php?t=2372

“Status of the citizens in Abyan under Ansar al Sharia,” YouTube, February 3, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGeyzQ7BkDk

“Yemeni sheikhs deplore kidnapping of al Khalidi and refuse to participate in securing his release,” al Sharq, April 19, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.alsharq.net.sa/2012/04/19/229360

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“Bakazem tribe accuses the regime of supporting open appearance of al Qaeda in their region,” Al Masdar Online, December 25, 2009 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.almasdaronline.com/index.php?page=news&article-section=1&news_id=3931

“Al Bakazem al Dehma – al Mahfad Ahwar (Lower Awlaki),” YouTube, November 15, 2010 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0cr5AbpwYo

“Marriage of Amtali family of al Diyan tribe in Um Ayn, Abyan,” YouTube, May 24, 2010 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_eVZRAld4M

“Breaking news: One of Ansar al Sharia's leaders captured in Lawder and sources say that 28 members of Ansar al Sharia were killed,” Yafa News, April 13, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://yafa-news.net/?p=6783

“Five al Qaeda leaders killed along with five from the tribes in fighting in Lawder, south Yemen,” Yaspr, April 11, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://yaspr.net/news_details.php?lng=arabic&sid=2345

“111th Brigade and sons of Lawder and al Audhali tribes foil al Qaeda’s attempt to control Lawder city: 30 terrorists killed,” Albida Press, April 9, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.albidapress.net/news.php?action=view&id=19765

“Al-Qaeda kidnaps Yemen’s general in Abyan,” Yemen Post, February 29, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=4822&MainCat=3

“Tribes of Abyan governorate,” Hadramawt Forum, November 4, 2009 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.hdrmut.net/vb/t301337.html 

[1] “The army reclaims Shaqra from al Qaeda and news of Balidi and Fadhli's flight to the Maraqisha mountains,” al Masdar Online, June 15, 2012 [Arabic]. Available: http://www.almasdaronline.net/index.php?page=news&news_id=33162
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