IOM: 46,000 Displaced by Renewed Fighting in Southwestern Yemen

AFP

At least 46,000 people have been displaced in southwestern Yemen.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Friday that at least 46,000 people have been displaced since fighting resumed last week between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces in southwestern Yemen.

In a statement, the UN agency said the number of displaced people had reached at least 46,000 since the latest escalation, warning that the figure was “rising alarmingly by the hour”.

The figure, based on data available as of Thursday, covers the West Coast governorates and Taiz. The IOM had previously recorded around 20,000 displaced people on Tuesday.

The Houthis launched a fresh offensive last week against areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait on the Red Sea, a strategically important region whose significance has grown amid the wider conflict in the Middle East and Iran’s closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula.

Clashes between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces in the area have reportedly killed hundreds of people since September 3.

IOM Director General Amy Pope said families were being forced to flee for a second or third time since the conflict began, having lost “everything—or nearly everything”.

She called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, while noting that all field movements and operations had been temporarily suspended as of Friday because of the deteriorating security situation.

Pope also stressed that all parties must protect civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as the stockpiles, vehicles and facilities needed to deliver aid.

The IOM said large numbers of people were seen leaving the coastal city of Mocha overnight with their belongings. It added that the Mocha-Taiz road, a key supply route, appeared to have been cut off.

The agency also reported fresh displacement in the southwestern governorates of Lahj and Aden, alongside movements northwards towards Ibb Governorate.

According to the IOM, entire villages in the districts of Maqbanah, Al-Ma’afir and Jabal Habashi have been deserted as clashes draw closer to populated areas.

The agency called on all parties to ensure safe and sustainable humanitarian access, protect aid workers, facilities and assets across Yemen, and restore the communications and transport routes required for humanitarian operations.


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