We have heard that a number of al-Shabaab fighters have entered Yemen. Could you give us any confirmation?
It’s something that the government and people in this country have been talking about the last couple of weeks. Al-Shabaab fighters have arrived in the country, especially the regions in which al-Qaeda operates.
The Yemeni government detained five Somalis suspected of being al-Shabaab members, seized in a region in which al-Qaeda operates. This is some proof that al-Shabaab fighters arrived in Yemen. A number of al-Shabaab fighters were also killed during fighting between the government and al-Qaeda.
How many are they?
No one from government or people can know their exact numbers, only their colleagues (al-Qaeda fighters in Yemen) can know because they welcomed them to the country. How do they travel to Yemen?
They travel from different regions in Somalia to Yemen by sea. They travel through Puntland, Somaliland, Harardheere or sometimes directly from Kismayo to Yemen. They use small speed boats, but they are different from immigrants. Al-Shabaab fighters use their own speed boats from Somalia to their special bases in Yemen, while immigrants arrive in the well-known ports in the country.
Are they only Somali fighters from al-Shabaab or are some of them foreigners?
Mostly they are Somali fighters, but also some of them are foreign fighters, including a number of Yemeni fighters who were fighting in Somalia for a long time and now are trying to return home.
Does the Yemeni government contact you when they detain or seize Somali al-Shabaab suspects?
Yes, the government contacts the Somali embassy and consulates in this country and they inform us if they have seized any Somali people. Sometimes when the government detains an al-Shabaab suspect they contact us and ask for proof of their nationality. When they have finished their questions they release the person, or if they have proof against him they pass it to the courts.
On the other hand, we know that Somali pirates operate along the Yemeni coast, and that Yemeni forces have detained a number of suspected pirates. Can you tell us about the pirates that the government seized?
Pirates are a common problem as we know, and it also affects this country. They operate along the Yemeni coast as well as in Oman. There are 106 pirates in jails in Yemen, particularly Sana, Adan, and Mukallah. Mostly they have passed through Yemeni courts. 12 pirates were alleged to have attacked a vessel owned by Yemen, so six of them were sentenced to death, while the other six were sentenced to 10 years in jail. The other 94 pirates have been sentenced to various jail terms.
Thank you
You are welcome.