World · Malaysia Bureau
Over 2,000 Yemenis flee to Djibouti amid Red Sea fighting
More than 2,000 people have fled Yemen to neighbouring Djibouti following a week-long Houthi offensive that has extended militant control across the Red Sea coast and key strategic islands.
LSN Malaysia ·
The mass displacement marks an escalation of conflict in one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors. Houthi forces have consolidated their grip over Yemen's Red Sea coastline and captured several islands, significantly strengthening their control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical shipping route linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Djibouti, located across the strait from Yemen, has emerged as a primary refuge for those fleeing the violence. The influx of displaced persons underscores the humanitarian toll of the week-long offensive, which has destabilized an already fragile region.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait remains vital to global maritime commerce, with hundreds of vessels transiting its waters monthly. Control of the waterway and surrounding territories carries significant strategic implications for regional security and international trade flows.
The offensive represents a consolidation of Houthi power in Yemen's western regions after years of conflict. The militant group's expanded territorial control reinforces concerns among regional observers about security along key Middle Eastern shipping lanes.