The black flags of Ansar al-Sharia no longer fly over Abyan, but insecurity remains

African Press International (API)

Photo: Casey Coombs/IRIN

The black flags of Ansar al-Sharia no longer fly over Abyan, but insecurity remains

HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 160,000 IDPs return to Abyan Governorate
• Aid agencies working with locals
• Unpredictable checkpoints
• Fear of Ansar al-Sharia’s return, ongoing influence

ADEN,  – A large-scale aid effort focused on rebuilding conflict-hit Abyan Governorate in southern Yemen is yielding positive results, but more than a year after al-Qaeda-linked militants were driven out, the police – and an accompanying sense of security – have yet to return.

Most residents have moved back though; markets have sprung to life, rebuilding work has begun and an international aid effort has helped people restart their lives.

With landmines largely cleared, and schools and hospitals being rebuilt, the attention for aid workers is now switching from emergency provision, to early recovery and livelihoods, even if many of the underlying challenges of security and development remain.

“This was…

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