Shabwa (South24)

Security forces in South Yemen’s Shabwa Governorate rescued 30 illegal Ethiopian immigrants from a kidnapping by a gang of the same nationality on Saturday.

A statement from the Shabwa Governorate media office said a joint security operation raided a house near the Al-Saieed junction, close to the city of Ataq, freeing the kidnapped individuals and arresting the suspects.

The statement said the kidnapping gang comprised four illegal immigrants from Ethiopia who targeted fellow Ethiopians, demanding ransoms of up to 3,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $800) per person. The victims were tortured during their captivity.

Three weeks ago, South24 Center released a short film documenting the plight of illegal African immigrants in Shabwa Governorate, highlighting their dire humanitarian conditions amid neglect by the Yemeni government and the United Nations.

In the film, citizens and eyewitnesses described human trafficking operations carried out by African male immigrants and local residents, particularly targeting African women and girls, especially those of Ethiopian nationality.

South24 Center could not independently verify these allegations but called on Shabwa’s security authorities to investigate and address this issue.

In recent years, tens of thousands of African immigrants have illegally entered Yemen, particularly in Shabwa Governorate, which has a coastline along the Arabian Sea.

The Yemeni coast has seen numerous tragedies involving boats carrying African immigrants, most of whom are attempting to reach Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.