Afət Ziyadqızı
A special statement was issued on the deteriorating military and humanitarian situation in Yemen during the weekly press briefing at the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Baloch, an official with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, informed journalists of the situation.
The UN official said escalating military clashes in the country were triggering a broader wave of forced displacement. He said civilians were expected to be displaced both within Yemen and across the sea to Djibouti, Somalia and neighboring countries:
“The clashes in Yemen have spread across several fronts, creating a rapidly growing displacement crisis. More than 130,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of September. Civilians continue to bear the full burden of the conflict.”
Baloch said at least 110 incidents had been recorded so far, in which 28 people had been killed. Security risks and restrictions on humanitarian corridors have brought aid operations to a standstill.
According to the UN official, more than 60 percent of displacement cases have occurred in Taiz governorate. Fighting that resumed in July has fundamentally changed the map of military control in the area.
After taking full control of Hudaydah governorate, the Houthis advanced toward western Taiz, capturing the strategic city of Mocha on the Red Sea coast and routes leading to the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthis’ control of the Hanish Islands, Mayyun Island and the Zubab area has also raised security risks in the region to their highest level.
Yemen has faced a prolonged humanitarian crisis since the conflict escalated in 2014. The country’s displacement crisis has been compounded by insecurity, restricted humanitarian access and damage to essential infrastructure.
