Steven Mace
02-07-2002, 05:27 AM
Yemen Bans Firearms From Streets
Tue Feb 5, 3:11 PM ET
By AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press Writer
SAN'A, Yemen - The government banned Yemenis on Tuesday from carrying guns on city streets, and urged security officials to do all they can to enforce the prohibition.
Guns, ammunition and explosives are sold freely in Yemen, a largely tribal society where weapons are carried openly and people often settle feuds with guns. The problem grew during the 1994 civil war when many arms were smuggled into the country.
The government did not say why it issued the ban, but it came after Agriculture Minister Ahmed Salem al-Jabali was attacked in his office Saturday by a tribal leader upset at his refusal to approve a request.
The attacker was detained and is awaiting trial, security officials said on condition of anonymity. The minister was unharmed.
Officials estimate there are 50 million firearms in Yemen, a poor nation of 18 million inhabitants in the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.
It is common to see tribesmen swaggering down the streets with guns tucked into waistbands next to traditional curved daggers known as jambiyas.
Kidnapping foreign tourists is common. Leaders of poor regions take hostages to press their demands for state funds or services. The government recorded 179 kidnappings last year.
The government asked the Interior Ministry to enforce the ban. In the past, the ministry has set up checkpoints around cities to confiscate arms, but this is the first decree banning carrying arms on city streets. It does not apply to the countryside.
A Cabinet meeting Tuesday also urged parliament to approve a draft law regulating arms possession. Tribal leaders fear the law would undermine their power.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020205/ap_on_re_mi_ea/yemen_arms_2
Steve Mace
Tue Feb 5, 3:11 PM ET
By AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press Writer
SAN'A, Yemen - The government banned Yemenis on Tuesday from carrying guns on city streets, and urged security officials to do all they can to enforce the prohibition.
Guns, ammunition and explosives are sold freely in Yemen, a largely tribal society where weapons are carried openly and people often settle feuds with guns. The problem grew during the 1994 civil war when many arms were smuggled into the country.
The government did not say why it issued the ban, but it came after Agriculture Minister Ahmed Salem al-Jabali was attacked in his office Saturday by a tribal leader upset at his refusal to approve a request.
The attacker was detained and is awaiting trial, security officials said on condition of anonymity. The minister was unharmed.
Officials estimate there are 50 million firearms in Yemen, a poor nation of 18 million inhabitants in the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.
It is common to see tribesmen swaggering down the streets with guns tucked into waistbands next to traditional curved daggers known as jambiyas.
Kidnapping foreign tourists is common. Leaders of poor regions take hostages to press their demands for state funds or services. The government recorded 179 kidnappings last year.
The government asked the Interior Ministry to enforce the ban. In the past, the ministry has set up checkpoints around cities to confiscate arms, but this is the first decree banning carrying arms on city streets. It does not apply to the countryside.
A Cabinet meeting Tuesday also urged parliament to approve a draft law regulating arms possession. Tribal leaders fear the law would undermine their power.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020205/ap_on_re_mi_ea/yemen_arms_2
Steve Mace