A sharp escalation of armed conflict between Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces and Houthi fighters has triggered a massive new humanitarian displacement crisis, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed in an official statement released Sunday. The total number of people forced to flee their homes since the resumption of major clashes has reached nearly 86,000, marking an increase of roughly 10,000 displaced people in just 24 hours.
Many of those uprooted by the violence have been forced to abandon their homes multiple times over years of ongoing conflict, the agency emphasized. In a stark appeal for global action, IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted the human cost hidden behind the raw displacement figures. “Behind every number is a family who’s lost everything,” Pope said. “People are crossing the sea with nothing because they have no other choice left.” She warned that Yemen, already shattered by decades of instability and crippling extreme poverty, cannot bear the weight of this growing crisis without urgent international support.
Since Thursday evening alone, more than 2,000 displaced people — a large share of whom are women and young children — have crossed the Red Sea by boat to reach neighboring Djibouti, IOM data shows. All new arrivals in Djibouti have been moved to a dedicated reception site in the northern town of Obock, where they are currently receiving emergency life-saving aid. The organization, however, cautioned that new waves of displacement are expected as fighting intensifies across western Yemen, and called for significantly increased international assistance to meet growing needs.
The latest escalation of hostilities dates back to September 3, when clashes between Saudi-backed government forces and Houthi fighters reignited across multiple frontlines. The resumption of violence has already killed hundreds of people on both sides. The conflict has spilled across borders, with Houthi forces launching cross-border attacks targeting Saudi territory, while Houthi media outlets confirm that Saudi aviation continues to carry out frequent air strikes on population centers and military positions held by the group in northern and western Yemen.
In a rapid, large-scale offensive launched earlier this week, Houthi fighters captured a broad stretch of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline along the Arabian Gulf, including several strategically vital islands and control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a critical global shipping chokepoint that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea.
Local human rights group the Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms (YNRF) has documented widespread abuses against civilian populations in the newly captured coastal areas following Houthi fighters’ entry into local cities. The group has recorded more than 950 separate violations against civilians on western frontlines. Among the documented abuses are more than 150 unlawful killings of civilians. Preliminary investigation gathered by YNRF also confirms that Houthi fighters have looted private residences and seized personal property across the seized regions.
Additionally, the rights organization reported that Houthi authorities have launched a widespread mass arrest campaign targeting both civilian residents and former government military personnel. The detainees are being held as leverage to pressure their relatives to surrender themselves, turn over any privately held weapons, and align with Houthi rule, YNRF said.
This report was originally published by Middle East Eye, a media outlet that provides independent, in-depth coverage of political, social and humanitarian developments across the Middle East, North Africa and surrounding regions.