SANA’A, July 10 — Abdu Al-Matari, the security manager of Al-Madriba district in the governorate of Lahj, said security forces have captured dozens of Africans being smuggled into Yemen during the past two days.

Al-Matari said forces affiliated with the 17 Infantry Brigade in Al-Madiriba district confronted the smugglers in the Al-Sakee area in Lahj. They were attempting to smuggle 34 Africans in one vehicle. The Interior Ministry released a statement Tuesday announcing that four Yemeni smugglers were killed in the confrontation, with four illegal aliens and two security personnel injured.

The Interior Ministry said the clashes were 100 km from the center of the coastal forces in Bakhor Ameera, located between Ra'as Al-Arah and Al-Azaf in Lahj governorate.

Security forces in Al-Shat district investigated the matter to learn the specifics of the incident, according to the Interior Ministry.

It has been reported that dozens of Africans have been smuggled to Yemen in the past few months.

The ministry said that smuggler’s boats came ashore near Hodeida, Shabwa, Abyan and Taiz, carrying a number of illegal aliens.

Security forces intend to bring the illegal aliens to the refugee camp in the Khariz district of Lahj.