Yemeni civilians are streaming into Djibouti after crossing the narrow Bab al‑Mandab Strait, driven from their homes by a fresh wave of fighting along the Red Sea coast. The Markazi camp at Obock, jointly administered by Djibouti’s government and the United Nations, now houses thousands of families who have fled the bombardments that have escalated between the Houthi rebels and Saudi‑backed pro‑government forces.
Background
The conflict, which began in 2014, entered a new phase this month when the Houthis launched a rapid advance toward the Bab al‑Mandab maritime chokepoint. In response, Saudi Arabia intensified its air campaign, carrying out hundreds of strikes on the coastal plain where the Houthis are entrenched. The Houthis, in turn, have fired drones and missiles into southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Human Impact
According to the UN, more than 120,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the recent surge in fighting along the Red Sea coast. In the last few days alone, over 3,000 refugees have arrived at Markazi camp, many arriving with only the clothes on their backs. Families like that of Ibrahim Issa, a 50‑year‑old fisherman from Dhubab, have brought modest belongings – goats, a metal shisha pipe, and a few personal effects – while others reached the camp exhausted and empty‑handed.
First‑hand accounts underscore the terror of the air raids. Ibrahim says, “When the sound of the planes start, and the kids hear the planes, they begin shouting and screaming… That is why we fled, to save them.” Another refugee, Qassim Abraham Abssy, a centenarian fisherman, echoed the sentiment: “It was the planes… we don’t know which side they are from. They are bombing everywhere.”
Regional Context
Djibouti, perched across the strait from Yemen, has declared neutrality in the conflict, yet it sits amid a heavily militarised environment. The United States operates Camp Lemonnier, a major multinational base, while China maintains its largest Indian‑Ocean military presence on the same soil.
- Djibouti’s stance: No intention to involve itself in the Yemeni war.
- Strategic importance: Proximity to the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a key oil‑export route for Saudi Arabia.
- Humanitarian role: Hosting UNHCR‑managed tents and providing basic services to displaced Yemenis.
Outlook and Uncertainty
The future of the refugees hinges on the trajectory of the conflict. A fragile UN‑brokered truce from 2022 has collapsed, and both sides continue to exchange missiles, drones, and air strikes. As one camp resident, Aisha Abdulkadir Mohammed, expressed, “We are willing to go back in peace if peace returns to our country.” Until a durable cease‑fire is achieved, the displaced Yemenis are likely to remain in Djibouti, dependent on international aid and the host nation’s goodwill.
While the strategic battle over the Bab al‑Mandab Strait draws global attention, the personal stories emerging from Markazi camp remind us that the human cost of the war remains profound and ongoing.