Crisis Escalates as 1,400 Yemenis Seek Refuge in Djibouti in Just One Day
By Editor • September 13, 2026 • 1 min read
In a dramatic surge of displacement, approximately 1,400 Yemenis have fled to Djibouti within a single day, amid intensifying conflict in the region. This alarming statistic was shared by Djibouti's economy and finance minister, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, who emphasized the urgent humanitarian situation on social media.
On Friday, the minister detailed that among the recent arrivals, 500 refugees landed in the coastal city of Obock, many of whom were rescued at sea after their vessels ran out of fuel while attempting to cross the perilous Bab-el-Mandeb strait. This strait, a mere 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Yemen's coast, has become a critical escape route for those fleeing the ongoing violence.
Safiya Ibrahim, the humanitarian response coordinator for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlighted the vulnerable demographics among the refugees, noting that many are women and children. She indicated that more individuals are expected to arrive in the coming days as the fighting escalates in Yemen, displacing at least 46,000 people in a matter of days. IOM Director General Amy Pope expressed deep concern about the worsening situation, stating that families are being forced to flee multiple times, often with nothing to their name. The urgent need for humanitarian access to those affected has become increasingly critical.
Source: www.aljazeera.com
