**Yemen Conflict Displaces 112,000 People, Thousands Flee to Djibouti**
In the last two weeks, the ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to the displacement of at least 112,000 individuals within the country, according to the United Nations migration agency. The renewed fighting, particularly along Yemen's west coast, has intensified, prompting a significant humanitarian crisis as families seek safety amid escalating violence.
The conflict has seen Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces increase their military actions, targeting Saudi cities and critical energy infrastructure while advancing towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. In response, the Saudi and Yemeni air forces have intensified their bombardment of Houthi positions.
As violence escalates, nearly 3,000 people have fled Yemen by sea to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in just under a week. Sandrine Desamours, the representative for the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), reported that the Djiboutian government is preparing for an influx of up to 10,000 refugees. This surge in arrivals is expected to place additional strain on Djibouti's already limited health care and education services.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has highlighted the perilous conditions faced by those fleeing Yemen. Many are traveling on overcrowded boats and arriving with minimal supplies of food and water. The majority of those seeking refuge in Djibouti are Yemeni families, but there is also a small number of migrants from Ethiopia making the journey.
In addition to the influx into Djibouti, authorities in Somaliland and Puntland have reported an increase in arrivals from Yemen, including both Yemeni refugees and Somali returnees. However, these numbers remain relatively small, in the hundreds.
UN agencies have characterized the recent fighting as a crisis layered upon an already dire humanitarian situation. Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war for years, pitting the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government against Houthi forces. This prolonged conflict has devastated the country’s health services and economy, contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
The Houthi advance along the Red Sea coast is seen as a strategic move that may strengthen Iran's position in its ongoing tensions with the United States, particularly as the group gains control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This chokepoint is crucial for global oil and commodity shipping, and its control could have significant implications for international trade routes.
As the situation continues to evolve, humanitarian organizations are calling for increased support and intervention to address the urgent needs of those affected by the conflict, both within Yemen and among those who have fled to neighboring countries.