Hundreds of Yemenis have taken to small wooden boats to cross the Red Sea for Djibouti as clashes between Houthi fighters and Saudi‑backed forces intensify.

Mass Exodus Across the Red Sea

BBC correspondent Frank Gardner reports a surge in departures, with dozens of vessels departing daily from the Yemeni coast near the port of Aden. The journey, lasting several hours, is fraught with danger from both Houthi missile strikes and treacherous currents.

Survivors tell of overcrowded boats, limited fuel and the constant threat of shelling. "We had to leave before the next attack," one man, who asked to remain unnamed, said as he stepped onto Djibouti’s shoreline, exhausted but alive.

Saudi Arabia Seeks U.S. Backing

Amid the exodus, Saudi Arabia has appealed to Washington for direct assistance against Houthi attacks. France 24 notes that the request was turned down, leaving Riyadh to reassess its air‑defence posture.

Saudi officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the refusal complicates an already stretched coalition that has relied on U.S. logistical and intelligence support since the conflict erupted in 2015.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The United Nations has warned that Yemen’s health system is on the brink of collapse, with more than 20 million people needing aid. The Red Sea crossings add a new layer of risk, as international NGOs scramble to provide food, water and medical care at Djibouti’s temporary reception centres.

According to the World Food Programme, supplies are being air‑dropped to coastal villages, but the flow is insufficient to meet the growing demand created by the refugee surge.

Outlook

UN humanitarian coordinators warn that if the fighting continues unabated, the Red Sea route could become a permanent lifeline, stretching the capacity of neighbouring states.

Diplomats in Geneva are urging a renewed ceasefire, while analysts note that the U.S. refusal may push Saudi Arabia to explore alternative regional partners for air‑defence support.

For now, those who have made the perilous crossing hope that safety in Djibouti will be a stepping stone to a return home once the violence subsides.