Tribal rivalry leads to mass brawl in school

Tribal rivalry leads to mass brawl in school Suleiman Al-Diyabi | Arab News

TAIF: More than 130 students belonging to two different tribes fought pitched battle inside a high school in Taif recently. According to sources, tensions were high at the school for several days and this finally erupted into a mass brawl. Saudi Red Crescent sources said students suffered various forms of injuries, but no one was in serious condition. Nine teams from the Saudi Red Crescent arrived at the location to treat the injured but were unable to carry out their work because of the continuing fight. Maj. Turki Al-Shehri, official spokesman for Taif police, said security forces moved into the location in large numbers as soon as they received news of the brawl. He said investigations are continuing to determine events leading to the fight. This was not the first incident of tribal rivalry popping its head in a Taif school. In 2005, a huge fight took place between students of two different tribes on the premises of a middle school. Some 35 students were involved in the fight that started during lunch break. Teachers tried to calm the students by sending them back to class, but the fight continued inside classrooms. Police were called in and many students were arrested. A number of students and teachers were injured.