Kidnapping of investor in Yemen

The kidnapping of investor Kamal bin Shaila and his companion, Montaser al-Radfani, has triggered significant security and social responses in Yemen. The incident, reportedly stemming from a land sale dispute, involved the suspect Abdulhakim Baqis, a former member of the Security Belt, who is accused of transporting the victims from Aden to Abyan.

In response, the Governor of Abyan, Major General Dr. Mukhtar bin al-Khader al-Rabash al-Haythami, ordered a joint security campaign to apprehend the suspect and ensure the safe release of the victims. The Governor stated that Abyan would not serve as a refuge for fugitives and that no individual would be permitted to use past influence to evade accountability.

Simultaneously, Yemeni tribal leaders and local figures have condemned the abduction. The Yafa'i tribes characterized the event as a ‘cowardly criminal act’ and warned that it threatens social security and the investment environment. Prince Ali bin Ahmed al-Fadhli also condemned the use of force to resolve disputes, linking the incident to attempts to illegally seize lands under the guise of investment, and called for a transparent investigation.