Yemeni Families Displaced Again as Houthis Advance on Red Sea Coast

Houthi military operations along Yemen's Red Sea coast have once again displaced thousands of families. Launching a major offensive against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces in the western governorates of Hodeidah and Taiz, the Houthis captured the strategic coastal city of Mocha and other areas, including al-Khokha, on September 9. This advance also granted them control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Families like those of Saeed and Mohammed were forced to flee al-Khokha after witnessing government forces retreating from the front lines. This marked their second displacement, having previously been uprooted from the Hodeidah countryside in 2018. After a harrowing week-long journey, the families eventually found refuge in the southern city of Mukalla.

Highlights

• The Houthis seized the strategic city of Mocha and al-Khokha on the Red Sea coast on September 9.
• This advance effectively gave the Houthis control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
• Yemeni families were displaced for a second time, fleeing their homes due to the escalating conflict.
• Fleeing soldiers abandoned their weapons, and roads were littered with military equipment and casualties.
• Families endured a challenging 300 km journey with severe shortages of fuel and water.

Details

Saeed and Mohammed's families decided to flee after observing government forces withdrawing from frontline positions near al-Khokha. Mohammed recounted, "I only believed them when they went out, filmed the withdrawal and showed me the video." The urgency of their escape was heightened by a missile strike on a nearby displaced persons' camp and another explosion in the area.

During their arduous journey, the families witnessed soldiers abandoning their weapons, with some even shedding their military uniforms. Roads were strewn with the remains of soldiers killed in Houthi missile and drone attacks, alongside discarded ammunition. Facing severe fuel and water shortages, they found grocery stores empty and struggled to find assistance. When Mohammed's truck had a flat tire, his family was left hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, waiting for hours for help.

Why it matters

This event underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Yemen on civilians. The Houthi advance along the Red Sea coast is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, making it even harder for thousands of families to access basic necessities. The Houthis' control over the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait could also have significant implications for regional and international maritime trade.