On Thursday, November 28, 2024, a source at the Al-Wadi'ah border crossing with Saudi Arabia reported a significant resurgence in congestion as Yemeni travelers flock to secure Umrah visas.

According to the source, heavy traffic has been observed at the crossing since the previous evening, with long lines of vehicles waiting to enter Saudi territory. The surge in travelers is attributed to a high demand for Umrah visas, leading to increased delays.

While congestion had eased earlier this week, the source anticipates that the current crowding will persist over the next couple of days due to the crossing's limited capacity to handle the influx. Travelers are advised to wait until the situation improves before attempting to cross.

In contrast, the flow of travelers returning from Saudi Arabia to Yemen at the crossing is reportedly smooth, with no significant delays.

Since the beginning of November, the Al-Wadi'ah crossing has experienced heightened activity, driven by Yemeni pilgrims heading to perform Umrah and attend events in Riyadh.

Additionally, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen continues to work on the project to develop and rehabilitate the Al-Wadi'ah border crossing in Hadramout, eastern Yemen. The initiative aims to enhance transportation efficiency and improve infrastructure.

The program previously stated that the project is designed to increase the crossing's capacity, facilitating smoother transit for travelers and boosting commercial activity in Yemen.