African migrant smuggling gangs are active at unprecedented rate in Shabwa

SHABWA, June 11 (YPA) – Shabwa Governorate, which is under the control of the coalition forces, is witnessing unprecedented activity by gangs smuggling African migrants, amid fears that these migrants are being recruited by terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda organization.

According to local sources, 150 illegal migrants, including 20 women, recently arrived on the coast of Radhum district from the Horn of Africa.

According to the sources, the port of Radhum district has recently turned into a station for smuggling African migrants, witnessing an unprecedented influx of African migrants, amid reports that many of them have been recruited by Al-Qaeda leaders present in the governorate.

The people of the governorate accuse the leaders of the factions loyal to the coalition of facilitating the smuggling of African migrants across the governorate’s coast in exchange for receiving large sums from smuggling gangs that are active and worrying in the governorate.

According to statistics from the International Organization for Migration, the percentage of African migrants who entered Yemen during the first quarter of this year, 2025, increased by 587% compared to previous years, as the number of African migrants who entered Yemen during the same period reached 37,166 people.