Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN migration agency says
Renewed conflict in Yemen has displaced more than 112,000 people domestically, with thousands more fleeing across the sea to Djibouti, according to the UN migration agency. Terrified civilians are escaping barefoot ahead of advancing Houthi forces as tens of thousands flee the region. Saudi Arabia carried out 19 airstrikes across three Yemeni provinces over a single 24-hour period, forcing thousands of additional residents to abandon their homes. This domestic displacement and regional flight coincide with Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport that threaten to restart the suspended civil war.
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- ✓ Houthi rebels have fought a Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government since 2014.
- ✓ A UN-brokered ceasefire temporarily quieted the conflict in 2022.
- ✓ The Iran-backed group launched attacks on Red Sea shipping in protest of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
- ✓ Houthi strikes targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport in July 2026.
What changed
Saudi Arabia conducted 19 airstrikes across three Yemeni provinces over the last day, according to recent reports.
Live updates
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Yemen Civil War Reignites as Saudi Airstrikes Trigger New Displacement
Renewed conflict in Yemen has displaced more than 112,000 people domestically, with thousands more fleeing across the sea to Djibouti, according to the UN migration agency. Terrified civilians are escaping barefoot ahead of advancing Houthi forces as tens of thousands flee the region. Saudi Arabia carried out 19 airstrikes across three Yemeni provinces over a single 24-hour period, forcing thousands of additional residents to abandon their homes. This domestic displacement and regional flight coincide with Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport that threaten to restart the suspended civil war.
Why it matters
The civil war in Yemen pits Iran-backed Houthi rebels against a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government, following the collapse of a 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire. Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and strikes on Saudi infrastructure have drawn direct U.S. military retaliation and deepened the country's involvement in wider regional hostilities. This latest escalation reverses a period of relative quiet that followed the initial ceasefire agreement.
What is confirmed
- Houthi rebels have fought a Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government since 2014.
- A UN-brokered ceasefire temporarily quieted the conflict in 2022.
- The Iran-backed group launched attacks on Red Sea shipping in protest of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
- Houthi strikes targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport in July 2026.
Still unconfirmed
- Renewed fighting has internally displaced more than 112,000 people while thousands flee to Djibouti, per the UN migration agency.
- Tens of thousands are escaping as Iran-backed rebels pull Yemen into a wider conflict.
- Terrified civilians are fleeing barefoot ahead of advancing Houthi forces.
- The Guardian reports an even higher total of 125,000 displaced individuals as the war reignites.
- Saudi Arabia carried out 19 airstrikes across three Yemeni provinces over the last day, forcing thousands to flee.
- Houthi strikes on Abha Airport threaten to reignite the civil war.
What to watch next
- Further Saudi-led coalition airstrikes across Yemeni provinces
- Additional refugee movements toward Djibouti and internal displacement figures
- Direct military responses from the United States or regional actors to Houthi actions
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (2)
- www.cfr.org — Conflict in Yemen and the Red Sea
- www.vaticannews.va — Yemen conflict continues without pause
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Yemen Conflict Displaces 112,000 People Internally
Renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced more than 112,000 people inside the country, while thousands of others have fled across the sea to Djibouti, according to the UN migration agency. AP News reports that tens of thousands are escaping as Iran-backed rebels pull Yemen into a wider conflict. Reuters notes that terrified civilians are fleeing barefoot ahead of the advancing Houthi forces. The Guardian separately reports an even higher total of 125,000 displaced individuals as the war reignites across the region.
Why it matters
The escalation marks a dangerous new phase in Yemen's long-running conflict, driven by Houthi advances and regional Iranian alignment. Neighboring Djibouti is facing an influx of refugees escaping the violence by sea. International attention is also turning to diplomatic efforts and impending speeches at the United Nations General Assembly.
What is confirmed
- Renewed conflict in Yemen has displaced more than 112,000 people internally.
- Thousands of people have fled from Yemen to Djibouti.
- The UN migration agency reported the displacement figures.
Still unconfirmed
- The total number of displaced people has reached 125,000 as war reignites.
What to watch next
- Developments at the UN General Assembly regarding the Iran nuclear threat and regional conflict
- Further updates from the UN migration agency on refugee arrivals in Djibouti
- Potential diplomatic talks involving China, the US, and Iran
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- The Guardian — ‘We left everything behind’: 125,000 people displaced as war reignites in Yemen
- AP News — Tens of thousands flee as Iran-backed rebels draw Yemen into the wider war
- Reuters — Barefoot and terrified, Yemenis flee the Houthi advance
- Al Jazeera — More than 112,000 displaced by Yemen fighting; thousands flee to Djibouti
- Reuters — Yemen conflict displaces 112,000 people inside country, thousands flee to Djibouti, UN migration agency says
- www.foxnews.com — Trump to put Iran nuclear threat at center of upcoming UN General Assembly speech
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