Nearly 50,000 Civilians Forced To Flee As Houthis Seize Towns Along Yemen’s Red Sea Coast

Last Updated:September 12, 2026, 9:48 PM IST

Joe Lowry, the IOM’s Middle East and North Africa spokesperson, said the displacement was growing rapidly as the situation remained unpredictable.

Houthi rebels’ fighters in the streets of Mocha, as the group claims to have taken control of the strategic Red Sea port city from Saudi-backed forces. (Image: AFP/File)

Nearly 50,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in western Yemen following a rapid Houthi offensive that has pushed fighting closer to civilian communities, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The sudden escalation has emptied villages and left families struggling to find food, shelter and safe routes out of areas affected by the fighting. For many residents, the latest displacement marks the second or third time they have been forced to flee their homes.

The Iran-backed Houthis have made swift gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast this week, capturing several towns from forces supporting the internationally recognised government, which has backing from the US and Saudi Arabia. Hundreds are reported to have died in the renewed fighting, raising fears that Yemen could once again be pushed into a broader civil war, according to a report by The Guardian.

The IOM said on Friday that around 46,000 people had been displaced across Taiz and Hodeidah governorates. Aid workers said large numbers of civilians were leaving with whatever belongings they could carry as shelling and fighting disrupted key roads and communications.

Joe Lowry, the IOM’s Middle East and North Africa spokesperson, said the displacement was growing rapidly as the situation remained unpredictable.

“Civilians are bearing the brunt of renewed frontline warfare, airstrikes, shelling, and large-scale displacement,” Lowry said.

Those fleeing urgently need temporary shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, cash assistance and other basic supplies. Many have reportedly reached safer areas with little more than what they managed to take while escaping, the report mentioned.

The latest Houthi advance has come at remarkable speed, including the capture of Mocha, the historic Red Sea port associated with the origins of the global coffee trade. The developments have intensified concerns that Yemen’s long-running conflict could enter another devastating phase.

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How many people have been displaced by the recent Houthi offensive along Yemen’s Red Sea coast?

According to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 50,000 people—specifically around 46,000 individuals—have been forced to flee their homes across the Taiz and Hodeidah governorates. For many of these residents, this sudden escalation marks the second or third time they have been displaced by conflict.

Which strategic locations did the Houthis capture during their rapid September 2026 offensive?

During their rapid offensive, the Houthis captured several towns along the Red Sea coast, including the historic port city of Mocha. They also seized Perim Island (also known as Mayyun Island), which sits directly in the middle of the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and advanced toward the Zuqar and Hanish Islands.

What are the primary humanitarian needs of the civilians fleeing the fighting in western Yemen?

Civilians fleeing the renewed frontline warfare, airstrikes, and shelling are in urgent need of temporary shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, cash assistance, and other basic supplies. Many families have been forced to leave with only the minimal belongings they could carry as fighting disrupted key roads.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish…Read More

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