Ethnic Clash Between Ethiopian Migrants Expands in South Yemen

Ethnic clashes between Ethiopian migrants, Muslims and Christians, have expanded in some areas of Aden and Lahj provinces in South Yemen, local sources told Sheba Intelligence on Saturday. The source said the number of deaths will likely mount to five as some injuries are critical.

The clashes left three dead and at least 13 injured on Friday amidst absent preemptive security measures by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist body controlling Aden since 2019.

The local source said the rallies of the migrants have increased, moving randomly with inadequate intervention by the security authorities in Aden.

The security in Aden had issued a statement, appealing to international organizations to intervene urgently according to a practical plan to address the problem of illegal immigrants.

It also said it intervened to break up the clash between migrants to prevent the loss of lives.

According to the security apparatus in Aden, this deadly fighting between the migrants began as a quarrel, escalating into violence and riot that caused severe damage to public and private property over the past two days.

Thousands of Ethiopians travel to Yemen, hoping to cross to Saudi Arabia, where they can find better work opportunities. Since the start of this year, 77,000 African migrants have arrived in Yemen, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

On Thursday, dozens of Ethiopian migrants from the Amhara region protested in Aden in South Yemen, demanding to return to their country due to worsening living conditions. The IOM confirmed that the migrants protested the suspension of voluntary repatriation operations to Amhara.

The IOM has facilitated the return of around 6,000 migrants, including unaccompanied children, to Ethiopia this year. Still, it cannot currently help those wanting to return to Amhara because of the conflict between the Ethiopian army and local fighters.