Over 100,000 displaced in Yemen as conflict drives maritime exodus to Djibouti

Thousands of migrants are undertaking a hazardous sea crossing to Djibouti as the armed conflict between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement escalates. The surge in departures follows a sharp increase in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting many to seek safety in the Horn of Africa despite the absence of formal rescue arrangements and the heightened risk of maritime interdiction.

Humanitarian agencies report that most of the travelers are fleeing the war‑torn northern governorates of Saada and Hajjah, using small, overloaded boats that lack navigation equipment and are often escorted by smugglers. Djibouti’s ports have seen a notable rise in arrivals, straining local resources and prompting calls for coordinated international assistance to manage the influx and ensure protection for those rescued at sea.