Yemen: A strongly worded statement from Abyan security against those involved in smuggling migrants.

Arab Sea Newspaper - News Updates

Arabian Sea - Yemen - Follow-ups: The Abyan Governorate Security Administration, in southern Yemen, has pledged to take strict measures against anyone proven to be involved in transporting or smuggling refugees and illegal immigrants of African nationalities. In an official statement, the administration said that this step comes within its continuous efforts to combat illegal immigration and address smuggling networks, stressing its determination to apply the law firmly to violators. The statement explained that the measures will include confiscating means of transportation used in smuggling operations, whether cars, boats, or any other means, to ensure deterring this phenomenon, which poses a security and humanitarian threat. The statement also affirmed the security services' continued monitoring and pursuit of smugglers and networks involved in these illegal activities. The Abyan Security Administration called on citizens to cooperate with the security services and immediately report any smugglers or gatherings of illegal immigrants, and to actively contribute to addressing this phenomenon. As part of these efforts, the security services in Abyan Governorate carried out a qualitative field operation, during which they were able to control a camp containing a number of illegal refugees west of Lawdar District towards Al-Jawf area, as part of an extensive security campaign. According to security sources, the refugees were treated in a humane manner, and the operation ended with the complete evacuation of the camp without recording any incidents, while emphasizing the continuation of the campaign to include all districts of the governorate to prevent any gatherings or activities that violate the law. The Security Administration stressed that these movements come within a comprehensive plan to enhance security and stability in Abyan, and reduce the effects of illegal immigration exploited by cross-border smuggling networks, stressing that the next stage will witness more proactive operations and strict measures to combat this phenomenon. These measures come in the wake of a tragic incident about a week ago, in which a boat carrying Ethiopian migrants sank off the coast of Abyan, killing 92 people and a number of missing persons. Many African migrants continue to head to Yemen through neighboring countries, with the aim of reaching the Gulf countries to improve their living conditions, while the International Organization for Migration has recorded since the beginning of 2025 about 400 deaths or disappearances of migrants along the eastern route linking the Horn of Africa and Yemen.