Over 2,000 flee Yemen fighting to Djibouti

Over two thousand individuals have arrived in Djibouti this week, fleeing the escalating conflict between Yemen's Houthi fighters and the Saudi-backed government, according to the United Nations. This influx occurred following a week-long Houthi offensive that led to their control of the Red Sea port city of Mocha, a crucial hub for ships traveling from Europe to Asia.

The UN's International Organization for Migration reported that the first arrivals reached Djibouti's shores on Thursday evening, with initial estimates suggesting around 1,400 people. Djibouti's economy and finance minister, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, later confirmed the figure at approximately 1,400. Strategically located opposite Yemen across the Bab al-Mandab strait, Djibouti plays a vital role in Saudi Arabia's oil exports, which were disrupted by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz at the beginning of the conflict.

With a population of roughly one million, Djibouti serves as a popular transit point for migrants aiming to reach the oil-rich Gulf states. The UN estimates that at least 76,000 people have been displaced by the Yemeni fighting since July, with this number doubling in the past week due to the Houthi offensive. Djibouti's strategic importance is further underscored by its hosting of military bases from the United States, China, Japan, France, and Italy, all of which are keen on maintaining control of the Bab al-Mandab strait.