Civil War Intensifies in Arabia, Hundreds Dead as Refugee Numbers 'Explode'

Fighting between the Iran-backed Houthi group and the Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, has intensified once again. In the last two days, at least 154 people have died in clashes across several regions of Yemen.

This information was provided by military sources from both sides to AFP on Tuesday (22/09/2026). Houthi military sources stated that 118 people died due to Saudi Arabian airstrikes, armed clashes, and artillery fire in the provinces of Taiz, Al-Jawf, Marib, and Saada. Meanwhile, sources from the Yemeni government reported that 36 of their troops were killed in the fighting.

The resurgence of violence is also feared to trigger a new wave of displacement. The United Nations (UN) has warned that the number of Yemeni citizens fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti could surge by up to 10,000 people. Within Yemen itself, the number of people displaced by the conflict is estimated to potentially exceed 230,000.

Earlier this month, the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of the Red Sea coastline in Yemen during a major offensive. The operation resulted in hundreds of deaths on both sides, while simultaneously threatening global trade routes and driving up energy prices.

The latest battles between the Houthis and Aden-based government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, are adding further pressure to the humanitarian situation in Yemen. More than 100,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes internally, while others have chosen to risk crossing the sea to escape the violence.

“The intensifying battles in Yemen could drive even larger mass displacements,” said Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), to journalists in Geneva. In the past week alone, more than 3,000 people have crossed the Red Sea to Djibouti. The UNHCR estimates this figure could increase significantly, particularly after mid-October when current difficult sea conditions are expected to improve.

According to Baloch, the UNHCR and its partners are currently preparing for the arrival of much larger numbers of refugees. “Planning for the arrival of more than 10,000 people in Djibouti,” he stated.

Within Yemen, the number of people displaced by the recent fighting is also expected to continue growing. Currently, more than 130,000 people are internally displaced, a figure that could rise to over 230,000. This does not include the more than 5.2 million Yemenis who were already internally displaced before the fighting reignited.

Baloch warned that the renewed conflict is further exacerbating Yemen’s already dire humanitarian conditions. Approximately 22 million people in the country are currently estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance.

However, crisis response efforts face serious challenges due to funding shortages. The UNHCR’s operations in Yemen have so far received only 18% of the required funding for 2026. The UNHCR estimates an urgent need for US$25 million to provide direct assistance to approximately 231,000 affected individuals.

Similarly, UNHCR operations in Djibouti have only secured 15% of the total required funding. The UN agency has requested an additional US$13.5 million to ensure that arriving refugees can access registration, reception, protection, and other essential services.