Al-Mahra Governorate in eastern Yemen is facing escalating warnings regarding the continuous deportation of irregular migrants from Omani territory into Yemen. Human rights activists accuse Muscat authorities of evading their humanitarian responsibilities and placing an increasing burden on regions already grappling with security and economic fragility.
According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 11,000 African migrants entered Yemen in April. Of these, approximately 702 were deported from Omani territory towards the Shahn district in Al-Mahra. This figure highlights a recent surge in such deportations.
These statistics indicate that deportations are being carried out frequently towards Yemeni territory, resulting in a growing accumulation of migrants in border areas. This is occurring amidst a noticeable absence of humanitarian response mechanisms and organized international arrangements to address this complex issue.
Human rights activists in Al-Mahra have voiced concerns about these practices, questioning Oman's adherence to international humanitarian standards. They argue that deporting migrants to Yemen, instead of returning them to their home countries or processing them according to international law, imposes an additional burden on a country already facing multiple crises.
Furthermore, activists stated that the continued influx of migrants into the governorate is creating escalating security challenges and threatening social stability in Al-Mahra. This is particularly concerning given the limited capabilities of local security agencies and the difficulties in controlling the increasing movement of migrants in vast, open border areas.
Local security reports indicate that authorities have recently apprehended several gangs and groups involving irregular migrants implicated in criminal activities, including drug and human trafficking. This raises further concerns about the repercussions of such continuous, unmonitored, and unregulated flows of people.
