Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
Yemeni security forces announced the arrest of 132 migrants from the Horn of Africa who were attempting to enter the country illegally via the coasts of Lahj Governorate, according to a local official speaking to (Xinhua) News Agency.
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained that the arrest was part of an operation to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. The migrants were spotted approaching the shores on two boats in the Ras al-Ara area.
The official indicated that all the migrants and the boats involved have been detained pending the completion of investigations.
He emphasized that Ras al-Arah has become an increasingly critical point for migrant smuggling due to its strategic proximity to the Horn of Africa.
The sea route from the Horn of Africa to Yemen is considered perilous, as migrants often travel in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats operated by smugglers. The migrants hope to reach the Gulf states in search of job opportunities.
According to United Nations reports, 60,897 African migrants entered Yemen in 2024 after undertaking perilous sea journeys.
