76,000 Displaced in Yemen Since Houthi Maritime Blockade Announcement, UN Says

New York (Terror Monitor) — Around 76,000 people have been displaced across Yemen since the Houthi movement announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, according to the United Nations, as escalating fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s government forces fuels a rapidly worsening displacement crisis.

The United Nations said the number of people forced from their homes has increased fourfold over the past week as fighting between the Iran-aligned Houthis and government forces has intensified.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned in a report on Yemen’s rapidly deteriorating displacement situation that entire families are frequently being forced to flee their homes at night, often with no access to safe places of refuge.

The organization said the latest displacement has been concentrated primarily in western coastal areas and Taiz province, where renewed fighting has placed civilians under increasing pressure.

Taiz Among Worst-Affected Areas

According to the IOM, Taiz province has been the hardest-hit area, with approximately 8,300 families — nearly 50,000 people — displaced from different parts of the province.

The scale of the displacement highlights the growing humanitarian consequences of the latest escalation, particularly in areas where civilians already face limited access to shelter, food, medical care and other essential services.

The IOM warned that the rapid increase in displacement is placing additional pressure on communities that are already struggling to accommodate people fleeing violence.

Families Flee at Night

The migration agency said the latest wave of displacement is particularly concerning because many families are being forced to leave their homes with little or no warning.

In some cases, families are reportedly fleeing during the night in search of safety, but many have nowhere secure to go.

The worsening situation comes as fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces and the Iran-backed Houthis has intensified following a series of developments involving the country’s western coastline and the wider Red Sea region.

The latest escalation threatens to deepen Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis, which has been prolonged by years of conflict, economic collapse and widespread displacement.

The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for greater protection of civilians and increased humanitarian access as fighting continues to drive more families from their homes.

With tens of thousands of people now displaced in a matter of weeks, aid agencies warn that the humanitarian needs in Yemen could continue to grow rapidly if the fighting does not subside.