Barran Press
The Minister of Awqaf and Guidance in the internationally recognized Yemeni government, Mohammed Shabibeh, announced on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, the completion of the deployment of 24,255 Yemeni pilgrims for this year's Hajj pilgrimage (1445 AH).
Shabibeh stated in a statement carried by the official Yemeni news agency Saba that the deployment process concluded on Saturday. He detailed that 11,699 pilgrims arrived via the Wadi'a land crossing, while 12,556 pilgrims traveled through airports in Aden, Sana'a, Seiyun, Rayyan, Al-Ghaydah, and Socotra.
Regarding those arriving through Sana'a International Airport, Shabibeh explained that 7,372 pilgrims arrived on 36 flights, facilitated by the continued support of Saudi Arabia for Yemeni pilgrims, easing their travel burden.
The Minister of Awqaf emphasized that the air travel deployment was coordinated between Yemenia Airlines and authorized Hajj institutions, under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance.
Shabibeh urged all pilgrims to adhere to the regulations and directives issued by the Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance and the authorities in the Kingdom, refraining from exploiting Hajj for political propaganda or sectarian slogans. He called on them to be exemplary ambassadors for their country.
On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, a delegation from the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, departed from Sana'a International Airport to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to Houthi media outlets, the delegation was led by Yahya al-Razami, a member of the group's negotiating delegation and head of its military committee. It also included Hussein Maqbuli, the Deputy Prime Minister in the internationally unrecognized Houthi government, and "several political, military, and tribal figures."
This marks the second time that Houthi military and political leaders have traveled to perform Hajj since the group's takeover of the Yemeni capital Sana'a in September 2014 and their subsequent coup against the Yemeni government.
On May 27th, the first batch of Yemeni pilgrims departed through Aden International Airport, followed by flights from Sana'a, Rayyan in Hadhramaut, and later Al-Ghaydah Airport in Mahra Governorate. This came after the first group crossed the Wadi'a land crossing into the holy lands to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.