On Saturday, the Council of Elders and Notables of Yefren, alongside residents and civil society organizations, condemned the deployment of armed forces in the city without coordination or approval from local authorities.
In response, residents organized peaceful protests, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the military units to prevent Yefren from being drawn into wider armed conflicts.
Tensions escalated when forces from the Western Military Zone opened fire on the demonstrators, injuring several people and spreading panic among the local population. Reports also emerged of arbitrary arrests targeting residents, including members of the municipal council, the Council of Elders, and civilians.
The Council of Elders blamed the Dbaiba-led Government of National Unity (GNU) and the Presidential Council for the deteriorating situation, accusing them of failing to control the Western Military Zone forces and ensure the safety of Yefren’s residents. In their statement, the council urged immediate intervention to withdraw the military units and de-escalate tensions before the situation worsens.
The council emphasized that Yefren has remained a peaceful city and expressed the community’s commitment to preserving stability. They also appealed to neighboring community leaders to step in and mediate the conflict to prevent further violence.
Regarding ongoing local disputes, the Council of Elders clarified that the division of local districts is purely an administrative issue that had been suspended by the Prime Minister pending further review. They stressed that this internal matter should not be used as justification for military intervention.
Yefren’s residents have grown increasingly frustrated with the militarization of their city, which has undermined public trust in the government and security forces. The arrests of local leaders and civilians have further strained relations between the community and the armed units, raising concerns about escalating violence.
Local leaders stressed the need to maintain Yefren’s neutrality and warned of the dangers of becoming involved in regional power struggles between military factions. The Council of Elders called on the Dbaiba-led government to take decisive action to withdraw the military units and prevent further instability.
