Barran Press
The Yemeni Ministry of Interior, recognized by the international community, issued a stern warning on Friday, August 9, 2024, against accepting or using passports issued by the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization.
The warning, issued by the Ministry's General Directorate of Immigration, Passports, and Nationality, labeled the Houthi-issued passports as illegal. The statement, carried by the official Yemeni news agency Saba, reiterated a previous warning against dealing with these documents.
The Directorate held those who accept or use Houthi-issued passports responsible for any legal repercussions, as well as any criminal, subversive, or terrorist activities stemming from their use. The statement alleged that the Houthi militia is using these passports to facilitate the movement of terrorist elements across borders.
In contrast, the Directorate announced that it had issued 95,794 passports across its branches in government-controlled provinces and foreign missions during July.
According to statistics released by the security media, foreign missions issued 34,024 passports, while the main branch in Aden, the temporary capital, issued 14,492.
The Directorate further reported that 13,038 passports were issued in Aden, 11,325 in Taiz, 7,913 in Marib, 5,041 in Shabwa, 4,712 in Seiyun, 2,398 in Hadhramaut Coast, 1,671 in Mahra, 1,018 in Al-Khokha, and 162 in Socotra.
On July 26, a senior official in the Ministry of Interior denied reports that the Directorate had issued a circular resuming the validity of passports issued in Sana'a, which is under Houthi control.
The official emphasized that the circular prohibiting the use of Houthi-issued passports remains in effect. He stressed that only passports issued by the Directorate under the legitimate government are recognized for travel through all airports in liberated provinces.
The official urged the public to verify information through the Ministry's official website.
Earlier, Yemeni activists on social media had circulated news of a circular allegedly issued by the Directorate, authorizing the use of Houthi-issued passports.