UN says over 46,000 displaced by Yemen fighting

September 11, 2026 at 11:14 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

More than 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen following the latest escalation in fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces, according to the International Organisation for Migration. The UN agency warned the figure is rising “by the hour” and called for safe humanitarian access. The displacement follows the Houthi capture of the Red Sea port city of Mocha and reports of the group seizing a UN compound.

Key Facts

The International Organisation for Migration reported that more than 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the latest escalation in fighting.
The Houthis captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha from the internationally recognised government on Thursday.
The UN voiced concern over the Houthis seizing a humanitarian compound in Mocha, and said all UN personnel had left the compound before the seizure and were safe.
IOM chief Amy Pope said families are being forced to flee for the second or third time in the conflict, with almost nothing left.

Displacement and Humanitarian Access

The International Organisation for Migration warned that the displacement figure is rising “by the hour” in a statement issued on Friday. The UN agency called on all parties to the conflict to guarantee safe humanitarian access and protect civilians, aid workers and humanitarian assets. Many people reportedly fled Mocha with their belongings overnight after the Houthis captured the city, and entire villages were said to have been abandoned in some areas. IOM head Amy Pope said families are being forced to flee for the second or third time in this conflict, with almost nothing left.

Houthi Territorial Gains

The Houthis captured the strategically important Red Sea port city of Mocha from the internationally recognised government on Thursday. Reports on Friday indicated the Houthis had also captured a strategically located island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, giving them control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast. The UN separately voiced concern over the Houthis seizing a key humanitarian compound and its assets in Mocha. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said all UN personnel working at the compound had left before the seizure and were safe and accounted for.

UN and Analyst Response

Haq stressed that humanitarian personnel, premises and assets must be respected and protected at all times, while calling for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. Farea Al-Muslimi, a Yemen researcher at Chatham House, said deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Yemen will build on what was already one of the world’s worst crises. Al-Muslimi said the situation got terribly worse after the Houthis cracked down on aid organisations in northern Yemen.