Investigative Report by: Aladdin Al-Shalali
Supervised by: Mohammed Rajeh
Mohammed Kuddah, a 25-year-old, was riding a motorcycle from the Ben Jahla neighborhood on his way to reach his home in the Al-Sadat area in the city of Al-Ghaydah. During the ride, the motorcyclist was discreetly distributing small bags to individuals waiting for him at various locations along the route. Mohammed was unaware that those bags contained drugs, distributed to dealers who, in turn, sold them to addicts—most of whom were teenagers and young adults residing in various neighborhoods of Al-Ghaydah, the capital of Al-Mahra Governorate in eastern Yemen.
At one of the distribution points, authorities apprehended the young drug dealer, along with Mohammed Kuddah, who was riding with him, charging them both with drug possession and trafficking. Mohammed subsequently spent five months detained in a prison in the city of Mukalla, Hadhramaut, before being released after his innocence was proven and he was found not to be involved in the drug trafficking.
Following his release, Mohammed found himself isolated by family and friends, who abandoned him and felt shamed by his imprisonment and the stigma it brought to their reputation, despite his innocence and his eventual exoneration. Reflecting on his experience, he explains to "Khuyut," "Nearly every day, many prisoners from Al-Mahra were being transferred to Al-Mukalla on charges of drug possession, trafficking, and selling." He was also shocked to encounter young drug addicts from Al-Mahra in prison who were addicted to drugs, noting, "I never expected to see such a thing once a day."
Kuddah’s story reveals part of a larger and growing issue that "Khuyut" uncovers in this investigation: the rampant drug trafficking and trade in Al-Mahra Governorate, eastern Yemen. This strategically located province has, since the outbreak of war in 2015, become a major gateway for the entry of various types of drugs and serves as a distribution hub for narcotics trafficked to other Yemeni provinces and to several Arab and African countries.
“In Al-Mahra Governorate, prominent and powerful drug trafficking networks have emerged, comprising influential traders, business figures, and investors who engage in the narcotics trade and are closely linked with similar networks across neighboring countries that share Al-Mahra's active smuggling routes, including Arab and African nations and other countries in the region.”
In this investigation, "Khuyut" traces how Al-Mahra has transformed into a transit and distribution hub for illicit substances, where drug traffickers of various nationalities are active, exploiting Yemen’s wartime conditions as a pretext to carry out their harmful activities to society, reaping profits from an illicit trade that Yemen’s laws criminalize and counter with stringent measures against drug trafficking and the unauthorized use of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
"Khuyut" documents four common types of prohibited and illicit drugs that are frequently trafficked and pass through the border crossings of Al-Mahra Governorate, transported by land and sea trafficking networks. At the forefront are Captagon pills, along with varieties and various types of methamphetamines such as crystal meth, known locally as "shabu," as well as other amphetamine-based stimulants. In addition to a series of operations that have been tracked and monitored, using smuggling maritime routes and other methods amid a persistent cat-and-mouse struggle with specialized security agencies. These agencies face extreme difficulty and challenges in combating these smuggling networks involved in drug trafficking, distribution, and promotion, which are backed by influential figures, merchants, businessmen, military personnel, and even military officers from other countries operating within Al-Mahra.
“Drugs come in various types and classifications. According to medical definitions, Captagon and shabu pills are both potent stimulant drugs, belonging to the general class of stimulants known as amphetamines. However, there are differences between them in terms of chemical composition, mechanism of effect, and legitimate uses.”
For her part, Ibtisam Al-Duais, an anti-drug activist, confirms to "Khuyut" that "99% of the drugs entering Yemen and Saudi Arabia are trafficked through Al-Mahra, with some also coming via the Strait of Hormuz."
Khuyut's investigation reveals, through security sources and intensive research and investigation, the growing presence of influential drug trafficking networks in Al-Mahra governorate, involving prominent traders, businessmen, and investors engaged in drug trafficking and narcotics trade and are closely linked with similar networks across neighboring countries that share Al-Mahra's active smuggling routes, including some Arab and African countries, as well as other countries in the region.
Likewise, according to an official security source in Al-Mahra governorate who spoke to "Khuyut" on condition of anonymity, the trafficking operations are facilitated and brought in by well-known traders who possess extensive business interests and commercial investments in the governorate. These individuals are so powerful that local authorities avoid pursuing or even confronting them, fearing severe retaliation that could lead to fatal consequences; because whoever does so faces the threat of being killed or assassinated.
One of the largest recent smuggling operations thwarted by government forces took place in April of last year. "Khuyut" learned that the incident involved a vessel arriving from Iran, which docked near the coast of Al-Mahra, carrying approximately three tons of narcotic hashish (marijuana).
In turn, the Coast Guard of the internationally recognized government in Al-Mahra confirms that it seized the Iranian vessel, along with its cargo—valued at approximately 8 billion Yemeni riyals—and its crew of seven Iranians, and escorted it to the Nishtun port on the Arabian Sea to undertake the necessary legal procedures.
Three years before the seizure of the Iranian vessel, the city of Al-Ghaydah witnessed a security unrest when Yemeni soldiers arrested a Saudi officer in possession of a large quantity of drugs and hashish. The shocking development, as noted by an official security source who spoke to "Khuyut," was that "Saudi military leaders intervened to secure the release of the Saudi officer and contained the situation, despite the media having reported the incident at the time."
In reality, there is a significant Saudi military presence in Al-Mahra, stationed at the governorate’s ports near the Sultanate of Oman, such as the Nishtun and Sayhut ports, as well as in various coastal areas. Additionally, the UAE has forces deployed in the region, having joined Saudi Arabia in leading the coalition in Yemen’s ongoing war since 2015, with both nations sharing and dividing spheres of influence in the country. In one of Al-Mahra’s ports, Ras Shurwain in the coastal district of Qishn, an investment project agreement was signed with the internationally recognized government to construct a maritime jetty. However, this project remains ambiguous and unclear, with its objectives still unknown. As for its potential implementation, "Khuyut" has found no indications that it has begun. Meanwhile, the Gulf state, which sparked widespread controversy in 2023 by normalizing its relations with Israel and entering into various trade, investment, and economic partnerships, is intensifying its presence on the other side of Yemen’s eastern gate, in the Yemeni archipelago of Socotra. This raises numerous questions about whether this heavy presence is part of the broader context of normalization between the two nations.
Moreover, "Khuyut" also documents the arrest of a drug trafficking network this year, specifically on July 7, 2024, when security authorities in Al-Mahra referred ten suspects involved in drug trafficking to the criminal prosecution office. Among the suspects were five foreign nationals, whose nationalities have not been disclosed.
These incidents, along with others detailed in this investigation, illustrate how the parties involved in the conflict in Yemen exchange accusations regarding the responsibility for drug smuggling and trafficking in Al-Mahra. During his recent visit to the governorate in mid-August 2023, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, stated that "there are criminal gangs in Al-Mahra that are involved in smuggling drugs and weapons to the Houthis, and they must be combated." In response, tribal leader Ali Salem Al-Huraizi, who leads the peaceful sit-in committee opposing the Saudi presence in Al-Mahra, condemned Al-Alimi's statement, asserting that it was disrespectful to the people of Al-Mahra, and called for a formal apology.
Actually, the blame game surrounding drug trafficking in Al-Mahra is not new. Two years prior to Al-Alimi’s statements, Hamid Za’abnoot, head of the Sit-in Committee in Shahan District, publicly accused the Saudi-Emirati coalition of orchestrating drug trafficking operations through Al-Mahra’s border crossings. In a post on the social media platform X, which "Khuyut" observed, Za'bnoot stated that the coalition, backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, had failed to prove any drug smuggling operations through the Shahn and Sarfait border crossings or the port of Nashtun over the past six years. He accused the coalition of deliberately tarnishing the reputation of Al-Mahra and its people, despite their control over these entry points through their affiliated forces.
“The social impact of this crisis has escalated to the point where several districts and areas in Al-Mahra have witnessed the emergence of groups of local residents who have become addicted to drugs, particularly methamphetamine (shabu). This alarming trend has prompted young activists to propose initiatives and plans for establishing rehabilitation centers for addicts. In the past, discussing such matters was considered taboo and even forbidden.”
In this concern, journalist Mohammed Belhaf, Deputy Director of Al-Mahra Radio, tells "Khuyut": "People in Al-Mahra have always been reluctant to talk openly about drugs or acknowledge the existence of drug smuggling and trafficking in their governorate, because they view it as a personal insult to their community. Fortunately, the situation has started to improve recently, with more people recognizing the severity of the issue."
Map of Drug Smuggling Routes in Al-Mahra
Khuyut’s investigation, which encountered significant challenges in reaching individuals involved in smuggling, reveals the intricate network of routes and tactics employed by drug traffickers in Al-Mahra, where the province’s long coastline and strategic ports have made it a prime entry point for drug trafficking and narcotics. Among the most common methods is the concealment of drugs within commercial goods; often the narcotics are hidden inside boxes, such as packaging them in boxes of food products, cosmetic containers, and even car tires.
Al-Mahra is the smallest governorate in Yemen in terms of population, but it is the second largest in terms of area, covering approximately 67,297 square kilometers. The governorate also boasts the longest coastline in Yemen, stretching over 560 kilometers. According to an exclusive statement to "Khuyut" by a security official who requested anonymity, supported by a testimony from a maritime expert, smuggling operations are often carried out using vessels and boats of various sizes, with smugglers frequently changing their routes and methods to evade security forces, adapting tactics regularly to avoid detection.
By tracking the smuggling routes used by these gangs, networks, and dealers, "Khuyut" identifies their area of operation and expansion along Yemen’s eastern regions, extending toward Hadramawt. Additionally, another route stretches from Hadramawt to Al-Jawf, reaching Sana’a and various northern Yemeni provinces, ultimately reaching its final destination: the border regions with Saudi Arabia.
The anti-drug activist Ibtisam Al-Duais explains the smuggling route used by drug trafficking gangs, starting from Al-Mahra to Saudi Arabia and also through Yemeni territories via Hadramout, then from there, the route extends to Al-Jawf, heading toward Marib, then reaching Sana'a, and heading north to Sa'dah.
In this context, Ali Al-Zuwaidi, a prominent community activist in Al-Mahra, shares in his interview with "Khuyut" that, indeed, even before the war, Al-Mahra witnessed drug trafficking activities. Unfortunately, some of the governorate's residents were involved in these smuggling operations.
However, the problem today has escalated to the point where several districts and areas in Al-Mahra have witnessed the emergence of groups of local residents who have become addicted to drugs, particularly methamphetamine (known locally as shabu). This alarming trend has prompted young activists to propose initiatives and plans for establishing centers for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. In the past, discussing such matters used to be considered a taboo, even a forbidden topic. Al- Zuwaidi says, "Today, there are calls for the establishment of associations and centers to combat drugs, as well as others focused on raising awareness about the dangers of drugs."
A report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2024 reveals that approximately 2.6 million deaths occur annually due to alcohol consumption, while around 600,000 additional deaths are attributed to drug abuse.
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Shocking Statistics
According to statistics from the Narcotics Control Department in Al-Mahra, obtained exclusively by "Khuyut," a total of 57 drug-related cases have been addressed by the department since 2022. These include three manufacturing cases, two cases of trafficking, two cases of smuggling, 14 cases of distribution, 33 cases of abuse, one case involving the transport of drugs, and three cases categorized under other classifications.
Furthermore, 109 individuals have been arrested on charges related to trafficking, 9 individuals for manufacturing, 7 suspects in trafficking cases, 2 individuals for distributing quantities of drugs, 26 individuals caught in the act of promoting drugs, 5 individuals who were transporting drugs outside the governorate, and 11 individuals involved in smuggling drugs out of the governorate.
In April 2024 alone, "Khuyut" reported the seizure of 52 individuals for drug abuse. They were apprehended with drugs and illicit substances totaling 4 tons, 613 kilograms, and 983 grams of methamphetamine (crystal meth, locally known as shabu), along with 175 kilograms and 420 grams of Captagon tablets, 85.5 capsules of heroin, and 1 kilogram and 810 grams of other narcotic substances.
"Khuyut" tracked several incidents related to drug trafficking that occurred before and after April. In the period between March and May, a maritime target, identified as "a speedboat," was intercepted with six foreign nationals onboard. The boat was found carrying what was described as the largest quantity of illicit drugs and substances, including 173 kilograms of methamphetamine (shabu), the highest amount ever seized, along with a large quantity of hashish (marijuana) weighing around 3 tons. Additionally, a gang of four individuals was apprehended in possession of 500 kilograms of methamphetamine, which they were transporting and distributing in the city of Mukalla, Hadramout.
Meanwhile, an individual was also arrested in possession of 742 grams of methamphetamine (shabu), specializing in distributing this substance across the western districts of Al-Mahra and the eastern coastal districts of Hadramout. Recently, another person was apprehended while distributing free samples of methamphetamine at a hotel in Al-Ghaydah; he was found in possession of 25 grams of the drug.
As for Captain Aref Saeed Al-Obathani, Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department in Al-Mahra Governorate, noted in a statement to "Khuyut" that "it is evident that the number of hashish users is relatively higher than those who abuse methamphetamine (shabu), and this is for two main reasons: First, hashish is significantly cheaper than shabu. Second, shabu users are often not found with any drugs in their possession at the time of arrest, as they typically consume the substance before being apprehended, thus complicating possession-based charges."
Under Yemeni law, it is prohibited for any person to import, export, produce, possess, acquire, participate in, sell, exchange, or trade in narcotic substances in any manner, whether as an intermediary or as a paid or unpaid user, except in the cases specified by this law and under the conditions outlined within it. Moreover, the importation of narcotics is forbidden, regardless of their intended final destination.
Between the Law, the Coast, and Security Control
Anti-drug trafficking and abuse activist Suad Alawi believes that the community in Al-Mahra Governorate is the first to be plagued by the drug epidemic due to its international maritime and land borders, making it a key gateway for smuggling narcotics into all other Yemeni governorates.
In this regard, Suad, who heads an awareness center focused on the dangers of drugs, tells "Khuyut": "Unfortunately, since the early 1990s until today, drugs and narcotics have begun entering the country, initially as a transit route. However, this did not prevent some of it from infiltrating the conservative society of Al-Mahra through drug traffickers. There have been no statistics or approximate figures regarding the extent of the phenomenon or the resulting impacts on addicts, nor any related crimes. Therefore, as a specialized center, we are acutely aware of the danger and recognize that the community there is in urgent need of awareness, particularly among families, parents, youth, and children."
Suad hopes to find an organization capable of assisting her center and coordinating efforts to launch an awareness campaign targeting all population clusters, schools, universities, and youth institutions, such as sports clubs and civil society organizations in Al-Mahra, to alert and educate them about the dangers of drugs.
Likewise, a source from the Coast Guard in Al-Mahra revealed to "Khuyut" the main routes and entry points used by drug trafficking networks in Al-Mahra Governorate. According to the source, over the past five years, the primary route taken by smugglers by sea has been the long route through the Shahan area, a border region with Oman. Another frequently used maritime route is through the coastal area of Sayhut, along the extensive coastline far from Nishtun Port.
According to the source, drugs are transported from Al-Mahra to Hadhramaut, then to Marib, and onward to Sanaa, concealed inside commercial goods carried by trucks belonging to officially registered companies licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in both the Sanaa government and the internationally recognized government. These companies are reportedly owned by well-known political figures.
Similarly, Brigadier General Abdullah Lahmadi, Director General of the Anti-Narcotics Department at the Ministry of Interior of the internationally recognized government, revealed to "Khuyut" the main reason why Al-Mahra Governorate serves as the primary entry point for drugs into Yemen. He stated, "It is because Al-Mahra has a long coastline, with no comprehensive security control over it."
Lahmadi added that he and his security team have taken several steps to combat drug traffickers and networks in Al-Mahra Governorate. The key measures include coordinating with the Coast Guard to pursue drug-laden vessels, reactivating the Anti-Narcotics Department branch in Al-Mahra after a period of deliberate inactivity, and raising the issue of narcotics with local authorities. He has also urged the local authorities and the community in Al-Mahra to build a united front to fight this drug epidemic.
“Most drug traffickers in Yemen escape punishment, particularly during the war, which has encouraged them to continue importing tons of drugs under various labels. Many types of narcotics have entered Yemen, and a security source told "Khuyut" that, to date, not even one drug trafficker has been apprehended in Al-Mahra or anywhere else in Yemen. All seizures and arrests have been limited to those involved in distribution or transporting the drugs.”
According to Lahmadi, one of the key strategies adopted by the anti-narcotics team in Al-Mahra and other regions under the control of the internationally recognized government is to curb the supply of drugs, through security plans aimed at detecting and seizing drugs, as well as apprehending drug dealers, traffickers, distributors, and users in accordance with legal procedures. The second strategy focuses on reducing demand through preventative measures, including awareness programs aimed at raising community awareness of the dangers of drugs and their harmful effects on all levels.
The challenges faced by security personnel in combating drugs in Al-Mahra are similar to those encountered by anti-narcotics teams across various Yemeni governorates. In his discussion with "Khuyut," Brigadier General Lahmadi elaborates on several of these issues that hinder their efforts, including limited resources, a shortage of specialized staff capable of carrying out these tasks, and a lack of operational budget proportionate to the scale of the challenge and the nature of their work. Additionally, the absence of drug detection equipment, including sniffer dogs; the overcrowding of prisons; difficulty in finding witnesses for drug cases for various reasons; and the lack of government-run rehabilitation centers, facilities, and hospitals for addiction treatment—all contribute to exacerbating the problem.
Lahmadi emphasizes the necessity of reinforcing the Coast Guard forces with sufficient personnel and deploying them along the entire Yemeni coastline. He advocates for equipping these forces with all essential resources, including weapons, boats, fuel, technical devices, detection equipment, radars, and communication tools. Additionally, he suggests deploying military units to cover vulnerable points, effectively forming security belts that prevent the entry of contraband, such as smuggled drugs.
Law and Drug Cartels
Most drug traffickers and dealers in Yemen escape punishment, particularly during the ongoing war, which has allowed them to persist in importing tons of drugs under various guises and labels. As a result of that, many types of narcotics have entered Yemen. According to an anonymous security source in an interview with "Khuyut," "Till today, not even one drug trafficker has been apprehended in Al-Mahra or anywhere else in Yemen. All seizures and arrests have been limited to those involved in distribution or transporting the drugs. Among the most common trafficked drugs entering Al-Mahra, the source notes, are Captagon pills, shabu, crystal meth, and methamphetamine.
Yemeni law imposes strict penalties against drug traffickers and dealers. According to Law No. (3) of 1993, concerning the combat of drug trafficking and the illicit use of narcotic substances and psychotropic drugs, anyone who provides drugs for consumption without compensation or facilitates their use in circumstances not authorized by this law shall be punished with either the death penalty or a prison sentence of up to twenty-five years.
"Khuyut" revealed in this investigation the extent of the growing drug problem in Al-Mahra Governorate, amidst the escalating spread of drugs and the expansion of trafficking networks involved in their smuggling. The investigation also highlights specific societal obstacles that hinder the efforts of relevant authorities and agencies in combating this issue, particularly due to their lack of necessary resources, as well as the challenge posed by the long stretch of the eastern coastline.”
In his interview with "Khuyut," Judge Abdul-Fattah Al-Qumairi, a public prosecutor and investigating judge in several drug-related cases, believes that Yemeni law has established deterrent penalties for those who possess drugs with the intent to traffick, promote, or transport them. However, he points out that the flaw in this law lies in the failure to update the attached schedules that define the types of narcotics.
Brigadier General Lahmadi agrees with Judge Al-Qumairi, stating, "The sedative pills, which are classified as narcotics, have become a source of concern. They have spread widely and pose a security threat, as they are not covered by the Law on Combating Trafficking and Unlawful Use of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances."
In this context, Dr. Najeeb Al-Jameel, a professor of criminal law at Aden University and a lecturer on penal law, affirms that there are several shortcomings in the Drug Control Law, including the failure to update or renew the attached schedules. Consequently, these outdated drug classifications allow trafficking and distribution networks to exploit these deficiencies for their criminal schemes.
According to Al-Jameel's statement to "Khuyut", there is a legal provision, and it should be applied. So, if the issue lies in the judiciary's failure to properly enforce the law, particularly with regard to penalties, then this responsibility ultimately rests on the judiciary. Overall, there is a widespread consensus that drugs are a dangerous plague that causes significant harm to individuals, families, and society. Therefore, everyone supports efforts to combat them. Those who oppose this are a small, aberrant minority who have deviated from the societal consensus to pursue their own private interests.
A Glimmer of Hope in Combating the Scourge
Brigadier General Abdullah Lahmadi is optimistic, believing that if his security team continues its activities in collaboration with the Coast Guard at this pace, along with receiving the necessary financial and technical support, they will achieve significant successes in the fight against drugs.
Accordingly, the importance of cooperation between local media in Yemen and the messages being carried out by the governing authorities—according to his statement and various other officials who spoke to "Khuyut"—becomes evident. The collaboration aims to raise community awareness about this scourge and its dangers.
Lahmadi further tells "Khuyut": "We have established partnerships and organized activities and competitions aimed at achieving this goal. We have seen a great deal of community engagement and notable cooperation, which has played a significant role in preventing many from falling into the trap of drugs. Moreover, the community has been proactive in reporting suspicious individuals and locations involved in drug trafficking and abuse, leading to the seizure of many narcotics."
On the other hand, Yasser Al-Asad, the director of the Huswain district, tells "Khuyut" that "this initiative was significant, marking the beginning of the downfall and exposure of drug traffickers and dealers through official and community cooperation."
Identifying a Key Societal Vulnerability
Hence, "Khuyut" uncovered in this investigation the extent of the growing drug problem in Al-Mahra Governorate, amidst the escalating spread of drugs and the expansion of trafficking networks involved in their smuggling. The investigation also highlights specific societal obstacles that hinder the efforts of relevant authorities and agencies in combating this issue. These authorities are hampered by a lack of necessary resources, as well as the challenge posed by the lengthy eastern coastline, which is one of Yemen's most strategic locations. This crucial situation has led to the growing influence of various powerful international actors, compounded by the vast desert areas in the eastern regions that lack sufficient state presence, allowing such smuggling cartels to thrive.
In addition to the growing issue of drug smuggling, trafficking, and abuse in Al-Mahra, officers and soldiers working in the Narcotics Control Department in the governorate face numerous challenges that hinder their work. Among these difficulties are the lack of a dedicated office building for the department, designated detention facilities, and the absence of a laboratory for testing narcotics. As a result, they are sometimes forced to send unidentified drug samples to the Criminal Evidence Department in Aden, as highlighted by several members of the department in their conversations with "Khuyut."
Furthermore, the personnel working in the Narcotics Control Department in Al-Mahra complain about the limited financial support provided to them by the Ministry of Interior and the Al-Mahra Governorate Office, both of which are part of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The majority of them rely on their personal vehicles for transportation, and they also suffer from inadequate weaponry and the lack of armored vehicles for conducting raids against smuggling and trafficking gangs. They also express dissatisfaction with the lack of moral support from both the ministry and the governorate office.
Recently, there have been individual efforts to improve the work of the Narcotics Control Department in Al-Mahra. Among these efforts is the adoption of a drug testing project for users through urine samples using instant testing devices, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Samples of these devices have already been purchased; however, the project has not received any support, either from the Ministry of Interior or from the local authority in Al-Mahra, which is under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The Director of the Narcotics Control Department, Al-Obathani, believes that the community in Al-Mahra must cooperate with the official authorities to deter drug traffickers and dealers. He pointed to the experience of the tribesmen in the district of Huswain, where local committees were formed with the aim of raiding the hideouts of methamphetamine users in the area. Two years ago, a document was signed by the sheikhs and notables of the Huswain district, in which they pledged to cooperate with the official authorities in combating drugs and to avoid harboring or concealing those involved in drug trafficking.
Covenant Document Against Drug Dealers - Al Mahrah
A covenant document against drug dealers, signed by community leaders in Al-Mahra.
For his part, Abood bin Wabar Qumsit, a prominent lawyer in Al-Mahra, points out that those involved in drug smuggling, trafficking, or abuse from Al-Mahra are viewed as bringing shame to their families and tribes. As a result, they are often abandoned by their communities. Unfortunately, organized crime networks exploit this social stigma and psychological vulnerability, as well as the need for financial support, to entice these individuals into joining their networks.
In addition, Mahri lawyers refuse to defend drug-related cases involving locals from Al- Mahra, fearing social disdain. Such cases are instead referred to the Special Criminal Court in Hadramout, as lawyers fear social condemnation and ostracism from their community.
According to the results of the 2004 General Census of Population, Housing, and Establishments, the population of Al-Mahra Governorate stood at 88,594 people, with an annual growth rate of 4.51%, as reported by the National Information Center.
Classification of Drugs (World Health Organization)
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