Somalia: Refugees return home from Yemen

BOSSASO, Somalia, April 1, 2015 (Garowe Online)-As Saudi-led coalition jets continue to hit Houthi positions in Yemen, Somali refugees have begun returning home on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

A boat carrying over hundred Somali refugees docked at a seaport in Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso, signaling the ordeal being faced by Somalis in Yemeni cities and refugee camps.

Bari Governor Abdisamad Mohamed Galan and Bossaso Mayor Hassan Abdale Hassan received the first batch of refugees at Bossaso port, ordering medical assistances for some returnees.

Galan and Hassan indicated while speaking to reporters that Puntland will treat Somalis returning home well.

Meanwhile, female returnee Nadifo Mohamed Jama pleaded with Somalia Federal Government to withdraw support for Saudi-led coalition.

Recounting harrowing tales, Jama said: “Our people have been killed, and they are about to be reduced to nothing. I personally have witnessed the mutilation of Somalis”.

“Any government that throws its support behind anti-Houthi coalition, citizens will heavily pay the price,” noted the returnee scared stiff of the ongoing Yemeni conflict. “Angry [Houthi supporters] mistake Somalis for Sudanese”.

Though Somalia has not showed off direct involvement in the fight against Houthi rebels, speculations swirl, saying Sudanese and Saudi fighter jets are likely to use East African country’s airspace for combat missions.

Sudan is among more than 9 Sunni nations which are seeking to smash missile and air-defense capabilities of Houthi militants.

Somalia previously sided with Saudi Arabia in diplomatic spat with Sweden- a key donor country that backs UN-backed weak federal government.

Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalan Omar Hadliye earlier last week denied that Somalis are liable to be harmed in the conflict-riddled Yemen.

On the eve of Arab league summit in the Red sea town of Sharm el-Sheikh, Somalia revealed its support for the legitimate Yemen government under the presidency of Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. 

GAROWE ONLINE