Yemen conflict displaces 130,000 people as hunger crisis worsens
The Saudi-backed war against the Houthis has forced over 130,000 Yemenis to flee their homes, while food insecurity deepens across the country.
The conflict between Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops and the Houthi movement has displaced at least 130,000 civilians, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Taiz remains the epicentre, responsible for more than 60 percent of the displacement, while families are also fleeing from Al Jawf, Marib and Al Hodeidah as the fighting spreads across multiple fronts. Recent Saudi air strikes targeted Houthi positions west of Taiz, and civil defence warned of a strike in Najran, though no casualties were reported.
Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani acknowledged the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab Strait but said the battle is ongoing, with forces reorganising to retake lost ground. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with the World Food Programme noting severe hunger, lack of healthcare, and overcrowded camps, while 18 million people confront acute food insecurity and 2.2 million children under five are severely malnourished.
Why it matters
The displacement and escalating hunger threaten regional stability and exacerbate a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey launch Mecca Defence Alliance, secretariat set in Riyadh
- Sep 3 Greece delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, instructed by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, contesting Turkish objections to Greek spatial planning frameworks and the creation of two national maritime parks. Athens maintains that international treaties define Aegean sovereignty and that Turkey’s own maritime park declarations overstep its jurisdiction. Both sides exchanged notes reiterating their positions, while Greece pledged to raise any unilateral Turkish actions with European partners. Despite tensions, intelligence chiefs met to keep security cooperation alive, and leaders plan to attend the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 6 Turkey reiterated its long‑standing claims over continental shelves.
- Sep 13 Pakistan reiterated that no immediate military response under the Makkah pact is being discussed.
- Sep 13 The Greek prime minister publicly called for dialogue with Turkey while maintaining a formal protest over Turkey’s maritime park claims.
- Sep 17 U.S. intelligence officials warn that the planned sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia may enable China to obtain classified radar and intelligence systems.
- Sep 17 Washington has moved from earlier concerns to signaling support for the Saudi F‑35 package.
- Sep 18 State Department formally informed Congress of the intended sale.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized British aircraft to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Sep 21 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he agreed to Saudi Arabia's request for defensive air-to-air refuelling while travelling to New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
- Sep 22 Burnham announced the decision while traveling to the UN General Assembly.
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