Djiboutian authorities report that over 3,400 individuals fleeing renewed hostilities in Yemen have arrived along the country’s northern coastline in just 48 hours, marking a significant surge according to the nation’s state news agency.
The rapid influx, which began the previous weekend, follows a Houthi military offensive that captured the Red Sea port of Mocha and advanced toward the strait separating Yemen from Djibouti.
With fewer than 1.2 million residents, Djibouti faces mounting strain on its already limited infrastructure. Officials warn the influx risks overwhelming services designed for a much smaller population.
Video footage from Djibouti’s state broadcaster RTD shows wooden dhows and larger vessels crowding near Obock, a coastal town near the narrowest point of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Women in black robes and children wearing life jackets are visible aboard the boats, which vary in size from small dhows to larger ships.
Passengers were observed carrying belongings including clothing, water containers, and personal items. Soldiers assisted in unloading boats under floodlights, whileIOM’S regional director, Alexandre Coissac, noted the journey’s growing difficulty, citing fuel shortages that strand families on Yemen’s side of the border.
UNICEF reports that children face exposure to extreme heat, dehydration, and inadequate access to clean water during crossings. The IOM estimates over 85,000 Yemenis have been displaced within their country since early September, with entire districts like Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi rendered uninhabitable.
The conflict has also reached strategic maritime hubs, including Mayyun Island (Perim), recently seized by Houthis. Djibouti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged heightened monitoring of developments while supporting diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
Finance Minister Ilyas Dawaleh shared daily arrival figures on social media, noting 500 arrivals by September 11, 1,400 the next day, and over 2,000 by September 13, describing the situation as an “increasingly difficult” burden for the nation.
In response, Djibouti has deployed coastguard, military, and health personnel to rescue stranded individuals and provide aid at points like Obock and Khor Angar. Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed visited Obock to coordinate with UN agencies including UNHCR and the World Food Programme.
Authorities are preparing to accommodate up to 10,000 arrivals, though Coissac cautions that continued flows may exceed the country’s capacity. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical global shipping corridor handling one-eighth of worldwide maritime trade, faces heightened security risks if hostilities disrupt its waters.
“Djibouti’s stability is vital for regional trade and security,” said Aden Omar Abdillahi, director of the Institute of Political and Strategic Studies. “Any impact on maritime security here could have global repercussions.”
Hosting over 36,000 registered refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, Djibouti previously accommodated 15,700 Yemenis during the 2015 crisis. The Markazi camp near Obock, utilized during that period, is again serving as a central reception point. Local residents in Obock have opened their homes to many newcomers, exempling community solidarity amid strain on state resources.
“The generosity here is remarkable,” Coissac told Al Jazeera. “But international support is urgently needed to maintain dignity and protection for these vulnerable people.”
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