Surge in displacement following fighting in southwest Yemen
Key pointsAt least 46,000 people displaced since renewed fighting began last week in southwest Yemen — the figure is “rising by the hour”, IOM saysHouthi fighters have seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mokha, triggering mass departuresAt least 14 civilians, including two children, killed or wounded this month, per OCHA; WHO recorded 67 deaths and 288 injuries between 6–24 AugustOnly 60 per cent of Yemen's health facilities are fully operational, WHO says, as hospitals face a surge in trauma casesIOM is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of aid workers and infrastructureThe number approaching 50,000, which as of Thursday covered the governorates of West Coast and Taiz, “is alarmingly rising by the hour”, the UN agency warned. The number, which as of Thursday covered the governorates of West Coast and Taiz, “is alarmingly rising by the hour”, the UN agency warned.Overnight, large numbers of people were reportedly seen leaving Mokha with their possessions, after Houthi fighters took control of the strategically important Red Sea port city earlier this week.The Houthis and Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, have been locked in a power struggle since 2014.
