Friday August 8, 2025
Aden (HOL) – President of the Southern Transitional Council
(STC) and Vice Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Aidarous
Qassem Al-Zubaidi, met on Thursday with Somali Ambassador to Yemen, Abdulhakim
Mohamed Ahmed, at Ma'ashiq Palace in Aden to discuss strengthening bilateral
ties and enhancing regional security cooperation.
The two officials
explored avenues to bolster joint security efforts, particularly in
safeguarding international shipping lanes, combating maritime piracy, and
curbing smuggling operations across the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
Al-Zubaidi expressed concern over the growing alliance
between the Houthi rebel group, Somalia-based Al-Shabaab, and Al-Qaeda, warning
that their coordination poses a grave threat to regional stability. He
emphasized the urgent need for closer cooperation between Yemen and Somalia to
counter the destabilizing agendas of these militant groups.
The meeting also addressed the worsening crisis of irregular
migration from the Horn of Africa through Yemeni coastal routes. Al-Zubaidi
conveyed deep sorrow over the recent tragedy off the coast of Abyan
governorate, where dozens of African migrants lost their lives after their boat
capsized in rough seas.
“I extend my sincere condolences to the families of the
victims,” he said, calling for urgent and practical solutions to manage the
refugee crisis, protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation by smuggling
networks, and uphold their safety and dignity.
For his part, Ambassador Abdulhakim Mohamed Ahmed affirmed
Somalia’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding
cooperation, especially on security matters, to serve mutual interests and
promote peace and stability in the region.
The meeting comes in the wake of a devastating shipwreck off
the southern coast of Yemen earlier this week. At least 68 migrants were
confirmed dead, and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying around 157
people—mostly Ethiopians—capsized near Abyan province amid bad weather
conditions. Only 12 survivors were rescued, according to the International
Organization for Migration (IOM).
Yemen remains a key transit route for migrants from the Horn
of Africa seeking work in Gulf countries. The IOM estimates that hundreds of
migrants have died or gone missing in similar incidents in recent months.