Map: Popular Committees in Abyan and Shabwah

Popular committees, tribal militias that often work alongside Yemeni military forces, have been most active in the area around Lawder city, where they successfully held off Ansar al Sharia attacks for months. The fight was also more intense and more personal in Lawder. Militants attacked tribal checkpoints and attempted to assassinate tribal committee leaders.[1] The committees and army managed to clear the city of Ansar al Sharia militants on May 17, 2012, though attacks against checkpoints surrounding the city continue.[2] Popular committees appeared in force in Zinjibar and Jaar in May and June, when the Yemeni army was engaged in a campaign to expel Ansar al Sharia from those cities. President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi himself met with tribal leaders at the time to ask for the formation of more tribal committees, and after the victory in those areas, commended the tribes for their bravery.[3] Likewise, Shabwah committees were most active in June, during the Yemeni army’s campaign in Azzan.

Popular committees are also present in the adjoining governorates of Lahij and Dhaleh, where Ansar al Sharia has also conducted attacks, although they have not been as active.

 Click graphic to enlarge.

SOURCES

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