Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia has successfully repatriated 148 of its citizens from war-torn Yemen, marking a significant humanitarian achievement in the government’s ongoing efforts to assist displaced nationals abroad.
The returnees arrived in Mogadishu on Friday, where they were warmly received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulsalam Abdali. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Somali National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRI), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Speaking at the reception ceremony, Minister Abdali praised the coordination between national and international partners and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe reintegration of returnees. He described the mission as “a new chapter of hope,” noting that many of those brought home had spent years trapped in Yemen due to the protracted conflict.
Authorities confirmed that the returnees will undergo registration and medical screening before being supported with temporary accommodation and reintegration assistance. NCRI officials said further repatriation missions are being planned as Somalia continues to prioritize the protection of its citizens stranded abroad.
Somalia has facilitated multiple voluntary return operations in recent years, particularly from Yemen and Libya, where thousands of its nationals have sought refuge or attempted irregular migration routes. The latest transfer underscores Mogadishu’s efforts to provide safer alternatives while strengthening international partnerships in humanitarian response.
For many of the returnees, the journey marks the end of hardship and uncertainty — and the beginning of a new opportunity to rebuild their lives at home.