Major General Mohammed bin Aboud, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, emphasized on Sunday that illegal migration from the Horn of Africa poses a significant challenge and security concern for Yemen and the Gulf region. He described the issue as a heavy burden on economic, humanitarian, and social fronts.

Speaking at a seminar organized by the National Center for Strategic Studies in Marib, northeastern Yemen, he called on relevant UN organizations to fulfill their responsibilities and collaborate with authorities to address this pressing issue.

The recommendations from the seminar warned of the dangers associated with widespread illegal migration from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, stressing the need for strict penalties against human traffickers. The continuation of this phenomenon heightens security risks that threaten Yemen's national security and that of neighboring countries.

The seminar highlighted international reports indicating that the Houthi group, classified as a terrorist organization, exploits these migrants for recruitment and uses them in arms and drug smuggling operations, as well as piracy.

Participants stressed the necessity of enhancing the capabilities of Yemen's naval forces and coast guard to effectively manage the country’s maritime borders. They called for modern technology to monitor and combat piracy, human trafficking, and the smuggling of weapons and drugs in both territorial and international waters.

Abdulhamid Amer, head of the National Center, noted that the seminar aimed to raise awareness about the host community's responsibilities towards refugees and illegal migrants, while also shedding light on the risks associated with illegal migration to Yemen from the Horn of Africa.

The event saw discussions among security leaders, local officials, academics, and representatives from UN and international organizations, covering four key papers that addressed Yemen’s legislative and organizational framework regarding asylum, the behavior of refugees, associated security risks, trafficking routes, and the role of international organizations in supporting refugees and illegal migrants, as well as relevant international agreements signed by Yemen.