Hiiraan Online
Sunday, June 14, 2015
BOSSASO (HOL)---At least 3000 refugees fleeing the conflict in Yemen have arrived in Puntland, a samiautonomous region in northern Somalia on Saturday.
There has been a huge increase in the refugees from Yemen to Somalia as authorities in Puntland overwhelmed by the the influx of refugees fleeing Yemen warned that receiving more refugees without contingency plans would worsen the situetion.
A ship carrying at least 2000 refugees mostly Somalis from Yemen has docked at the port of Bossaso, the region’s commercial hub with boats carrying almost 1000 refugees arrived later, according to officails.
Some of the returning refugees described a desperate living condition in Yemen where Saudi-led air strikes have killed a number of refugees since the beginning of the military operation against the Houthi rebels who deposed the US-backed Yemeni president last month.
The air campaign has stirred controversy after reports of collateral damage which saw dozens of people being killed by the coalition forces.
“Back in Yemen, refugees have limited options on how to survive.” One woman said upon arrival at the Bossaso port.
The coalition said they started air strikes to "answer the call of President Hadi to protect Yemen and his people from the aggression of the Houthi militia"