Intensifying Conflict in Yemen
The situation in Yemen has escalated significantly, with government forces launching operations against Houthi rebels along the Red Sea. In retaliation, the Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's government.
The Yemeni administration has pledged to reinforce its military presence along the Red Sea coast. An official acknowledged a recent setback, admitting that the Houthis had taken control of the port city of Mokha and an island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route.
The recent surge in Houthi assaults on Saudi oil facilities and maritime traffic in the Red Sea is raising concerns about global oil supply and pricing, potentially giving Iran an advantage in its ongoing conflict with the United States.
As Yemen teeters on the brink of another civil war, the United Nations reports that over 80,000 individuals have been displaced due to the violence since early September.
One displaced woman recounted her harrowing escape from Khawkha in Hodeida province, where she witnessed destruction and loss of life as she fled.
Saudi authorities issued warnings in Abha and Khamis Mushait, urging residents to seek shelter from Houthi attacks, which have intensified in recent weeks.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi Arabia, including a military installation near the border. However, no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.
In a separate incident, a projectile landed near the Saudi border, injuring two individuals and damaging a mosque, with Saudi officials attributing the attack to the Houthis.
The Houthis have declared a blockade on Saudi oil infrastructure but insist they do not intend to disrupt commercial shipping from other nations.
The National Resistance, a coalition allied with the Yemeni government, reported that over 500 government soldiers have died on the western front in the past month, while claiming that more than 1,000 Houthis have also been killed.
Yemen, home to over 40 million people, is haunted by the specter of a civil war that has claimed 150,000 lives and pushed many to the brink of starvation. The internationally recognized government has been in conflict with the Houthis for 12 years, although a ceasefire in 2022 had temporarily reduced hostilities.
A senior Yemeni official stated that government forces would regroup and return to the Red Sea coast to continue the fight. Eyewitnesses reported seeing military units retreating and urging civilians to evacuate.
Sultan al-Arada, a member of the presidential leadership council, described the recent military losses as 'painful and regrettable,' but expressed confidence that forces would regroup.
Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the presidential council, attempted to downplay the defeats, asserting that the government remains committed to restoring state authority and sovereignty.
On Sunday, Yemeni forces conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions in Mokha and Taiz province, while the Houthis reported retaliatory strikes from Saudi-backed forces.
The Houthi advance brings them alarmingly close to a major U.S. military base in Djibouti, located just 32 kilometers across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This base is crucial for U.S. operations in Africa, alongside facilities from China, France, and Japan.
Djibouti is witnessing an influx of displaced Yemenis, with over 2,000 having arrived recently, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
Djibouti's Economy and Finance Minister announced that the country's naval and coast guard units are engaged in rescue operations and providing emergency aid.
The UN migration agency reported that more than 82,000 individuals have been displaced in Yemen since September began. Ahmad al-Masawi, director of the Al Salam camp in Aden, highlighted the dire conditions faced by the displaced, who fled without basic necessities.
Hussein Haydara, a displaced individual, expressed concern about the distance of their temporary shelter from essential services, fearing for his family's survival in the coming weeks.