In Al Jawf, Yemen, near the border of Saudi Arabia, Sheik Rabea al Okaimi...READ ON
In Al Jawf, Yemen, near the border of Saudi Arabia, Sheik Rabea al Okaimi controls a vast tribal area filled with people who are poor and uneducated, and who exist beyond government control. They are thought to be anti-American and sympathetic to al Queda, which Rabea disputes, "We don't have terror in our area," he says. "What we have are tribal wars, poverty, and illiteracy." Seeking a way to improve life in Al Jawf, Rabea sought help from an American NGO, but the obstacles he faces have so far proven too much to be overcome.
The Al Jawf village, al-Hessn, is frequently shelled by the rival Harndan...READ ON
The Al Jawf village, al-Hessn, is frequently shelled by the rival Harndan tribe, whose village can be seen in the distance.
Sheik Rabea relaxes in one of his three homes in Al Jawf. Each of his three...READ ON
Sheik Rabea relaxes in one of his three homes in Al Jawf. Each of his three wives lives in one of them.
Tribesmen admire the sniper's rifle of Saleh Ali al-Hadj (far left) as...READ ON
Tribesmen admire the sniper's rifle of Saleh Ali al-Hadj (far left) as they wait to meet and lunch with Sheik Rabea.
Sheik Rabea carries his gun, knife, and cell phone as he travels through Al...READ ON
Sheik Rabea carries his gun, knife, and cell phone as he travels through Al Jawf to meet and talk with his tribesmen.
Family members watch over Sirhan bin Jaji Araban at a medical clinic in...READ ON
Family members watch over Sirhan bin Jaji Araban at a medical clinic in Mymerra. He was shot in a dispute that prompted by Sheik Rabea al-Okaimi's mediation efforts.
Sheik Rabea questions members of his tribe as he tries to resolve a conflict...READ ON
Sheik Rabea questions members of his tribe as he tries to resolve a conflict in which one person was killed and another was wounded. Since there is no government in Al Jawf, Rabea must mediate disputes by seeking common ground between opposing groups.
One of Sheik Rabea’s guards listens as a tribal member...READ ON
One of Sheik Rabea’s guards listens as a tribal member complains that Rabea should not be hospitable with Americans. One person told him "the U.S. will do to Yemen what it did to Iraq."
A tank shell leaves a gaping hole in Sheik Rabea al-Okaimi's home in the...READ ON
A tank shell leaves a gaping hole in Sheik Rabea al-Okaimi's home in the village of al-Hessen which is on the front lines to the rival Harndan tribe.
A young boy listens as tribal leaders meet, chew khat, and discuss local issues.
Sheik Rabea listens as he mediates one of the many conflicts between his people.
Many of the schools in Al-Jawf are closed because of the tribal warfare and...READ ON
Many of the schools in Al-Jawf are closed because of the tribal warfare and lack of teachers. In this one-room school, the girls sit in the back of the class while boys sit in the front.
The wind whirls and whips up the dirt near the compound of Sheik Rabea.
Tribal guards keep an eye out at a border village in Al Jawf.
Sheep take advantage of a stop at a water hole in al-Jawf where water is very precious.
At sunrise a young boy wakes up from sleeping on the rooftop of his home as a...READ ON
At sunrise a young boy wakes up from sleeping on the rooftop of his home as a goat contemplates entering his family's house.