Yemen’s ‘Mogadishu’: Somali refugees face poverty, instability in Aden
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Yemen’s al-Basateen district, often referred to as “Yemen’s Mogadishu” or “the Somalis’ neighborhood,” is home to over 40,000 Somali-origin residents living in harsh conditions marked by extreme poverty, lack of legal status, and limited access to basic services. Many arrived during the 1990s Somali civil war, fleeing violence and seeking safety across the Gulf of Aden. Decades later, these refugees and their descendants still struggle with economic instability, relying on fragile jobs in construction or manual labor to survive. Women work as cleaners or run small businesses, while children often take on roles like sifting through waste for recyclable materials. Despite being born and raised in Yemen, many lack formal citizenship or identity documents, leaving them in a state of “suspended belonging” — disconnected from both their Somali heritage and the legal recognition they need to thrive.
The district’s living conditions are dire, with tightly packed homes made of metal sheets and dirt roads lined with rubbish. Many families live in single rooms without access to basic services like clean water or healthcare. Ashour Hassan, a 35-year-old father of five, earns less than $3 a day washing cars, barely enough to feed his family. His story reflects the broader struggle for survival in al-Basateen, where unemployment is widespread and humanitarian aid has dwindled. Fatima Jame, born in Aden to Somali parents, shares similar challenges: her husband works as a porter, while she navigates life without formal identity documents or legal rights in Yemen.
The deeper issue lies in the lack of belonging and opportunities for these refugees and their descendants. While some still hold onto Somali traditions and languages, many younger generations speak Arabic and identify with Yemeni culture, yet remain legally classified as “refugees.” This creates a sense of limbo, where they feel disconnected from both their past and their present reality in Aden. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by displaced populations worldwide, underscoring the importance of addressing refugee rights, citizenship, and integration to ensure stability and dignity for future generations.
This story matters because it sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of displaced communities living at the margins of society. The Somali refugees in al-Basateen represent a broader global issue: millions of people forced from their homes by conflict or persecution, left to grapple with poverty, uncertainty, and exclusion. Their resilience in the face of adversity is commendable, but without access to legal rights, education, or economic opportunities, their future
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026