The decade-long conflict in Yemen has had dire and far-reaching consequences for African migrants, who embark on perilous journeys in search of a comfortable life and economic opportunities in the oil-rich Gulf states. These migrants embark on treacherous journeys, enduring immense hardships as they board overcrowded and unsafe vessels, navigate the perilous waters of the Gulf of Aden, and face inclement weather conditions, all in a desperate attempt to reach the shores of Yemen. However, upon arrival, they are confronted with an environment marked by violence and exploitation, finding themselves stranded in a country grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Consequently, many migrants are compelled to return to the Horn of Africa, compelled by the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen and the challenges of reaching Saudi Arabia.
Regrettably, the journey back to their home countries presents its own set of risks, particularly amid the outbreak of armed conflict in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, coupled with heightened security deployments along Yemen's coastal areas. These formidable circumstances create additional hurdles and exacerbate the suffering endured by African migrants, further amplifying their plight.
This period witnessed a noticeable escalation in security tension and the presence of heavy international naval forces in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden due to military operations carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthi group, known as “Ansar Allah,” targeting cargo ships heading to Israel, the United States, and Britain since mid-November. 2023. The increasing military deployment has necessitated security patrols by warships, making the return of African migrants via fishing boats extremely dangerous. As a result, the flow of African migrants coming to Yemen has decreased, and there have been reports of Yemeni fishermen being targeted at sea by US-led coalition forces in the Red Sea, leading to the death of 8 fishermen.
According to the Displacement Tracking Matrix team of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Djibouti, records from November 2023 indicate that 505 migrants (424 males and 81 females) embarked on the perilous boat journey back to their home countries from Yemen. Additionally, in January 2024, the return of 282 migrants (246 males and 36 females) who made a single trip from Yemen to Djibouti was recorded. These figures reflect an average of only one trip per month, highlighting the deteriorating security conditions in international waters.
Observers and the International Organization for Migration have widely acknowledged a significant decline in the number of migrants traveling from Djibouti to Yemen via the Bab al-Mandab route. The organization's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in Yemen documented the entry of 1,737 migrants in January 2024, representing a substantial decrease compared to the previous year. In January 2023, the number of migrants entering Yemen during the same period was nearly ten times higher, with a total of 10,707 individuals recorded.
In recent times, the primary arrival point for the majority of African migrants has been the Ras Al-Ara area, which is controlled by human smuggling and trafficking networks. The highest influx was recorded in March 2023, with 15,714 migrants arriving at this destination. During my field mission on behalf of Mwatana for Human Rights to investigate violations committed by these smuggling gangs, I observed a significant increase in African migrants arriving in Ras Al-Ara area in May 2023 compared to the coastal governorate of Shabwa.
Ras Al-Ara area, located in Al-Mudaraba and Ras Al-Ara districts within Lahj Governorate in southern Yemen, has gained notoriety as a hub for smuggling and human trafficking operations. These illicit networks have carried out brutal abuses against African migrants, particularly targeting women. They have established detention places where migrants are unlawfully held and extorted for money from their families. Disturbingly, human rights organizations have documented cases of sexual assault against migrant women, some of which amount to sexual slavery.
The gravity of the violations perpetrated against migrants in Ras Al-Ara area has prompted security forces baked by the Saudi / UAE-led coalition to take measures against these smuggling gangs. Reports indicate the deployment of military forces along the coastal strip to pursue the boats used by these criminal networks. This ongoing campaign in Lahj Governorate, known as the Deterrence Forces of the Southern Giants Brigades, has successfully carried out several tasks in the coastal area, including combing operations and raids on the smugglers' hideouts. As a result, 52 smugglers and wanted individuals have been apprehended and detained in prisons.
According to information from the International Organization for Migration, a significant decrease in human trafficking activities has been observed since August and September 2023. In the last quarter of 2023, migrants from the Horn of Africa continued to arrive in Yemen, where they face numerous protection risks at every step of their journey. According to the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), a total of 4,313 migrants arrived in Yemen between October and December 2023. Although the number of monthly migrant arrivals decreased significantly starting in August, more than 97,000 migrants arrived in Yemen. In 2023 - an increase of 20,000 compared to the total number of arrivals in 2022, which is approximately 73,000 arrivals.
As a result of these circumstances, the main destination for migrants entering Yemen has shifted to the coast of Shabwa Governorate, and smuggling gangs transporting migrants from Djibouti are also using this route, as confirmed by the International Organization for Migration. Its report stated that the total number of migrants who arrived in January 2024 consisted of 1,736 arrivals, of which 1,526 migrants came from Bari, Somalia, and 210 migrants from Obock, Djibouti. It is worth noting that each boat operated by smuggling gangs carries more than 200 migrants on board, including women and children.
In December 2023, Mwatana for Human Rights released a comprehensive human rights report titled "Transit in Hell," shedding light on the dire conditions faced by African migrants in Yemen and the grave violations and abuses committed by various actors, including parties involved in the conflict as well as smuggling and human trafficking gangs. The report includes compelling visuals, maps, and crucial information regarding the migrants' routes and gathering points across different areas in Yemen. Mwatana for Human Rights meticulously documented 112 incidents of violations against African migrants, encompassing acts such as killings, maiming, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, forced deportations, torture, extortion, and other forms of abuse.
With the escalating military tensions in the Red Sea, Yemen confronts pressing humanitarian challenges, particularly concerning the urgent need for extensive humanitarian efforts to address the plight of African migrants. These individuals struggle to access essential provisions like food, clean water, and healthcare, often encountering discrimination when seeking assistance. The predicament faced by African migrants in Yemen constitutes an additional humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention, especially for those aspiring to return to their homelands. This vulnerable group endures unimaginable hardships, underscoring the crucial importance of providing them with protection, support, and sustainable solutions. By prioritizing their rights and needs, we can take a significant stride toward building a more equitable and compassionate global community.
