IOM: Hundreds of African migrants arrive daily in Dhubab, west of Taiz

A recent report by the International Organization for Migration revealed that hundreds of African migrants have been arriving off the coast of Taiz (southwest Yemen) on a daily basis for months, as an alternative arrival point to the coast of Lahj, where a security campaign to combat smuggling is ongoing.

The organization said in a report covering the period from April to last July, "Over the course of the reporting period, partners and information providers highlighted the shift in migrant arrival points, and according to the information obtained, there is an increasing number of migrants in Taiz (Dhubab District) where hundreds of migrants are reported to be arriving there daily."

“This area remains difficult to access due to security and other access restrictions, resulting in a lack of migrant response personnel,” she added.

IOM explained that it conducted a participatory migrant mapping activity to identify migrant flows and needs in the region, and participants indicated an increase in migrant flows and the use of alternative routes due to the ongoing anti-smuggling campaign in Lahj.

The organization continued, "The increase in the number of arriving migrants - along with the decline in the fishing industry due to the conflict in the Red Sea - has led to an increase in smuggling activities in Taiz. Similarly, partners have reported the emergence of new access points along the coast of Abyan.

She noted that the International Organization for Migration, along with its partners, had begun conducting assessments to gather more information on new migration routes to support the response.

It is noteworthy that the number of African migrants arriving in Yemen, who were monitored by the International Organization for Migration, reached 13,371 migrants from the beginning of the year until the end of this August.