Djibouti received approximately 1,400 refugees from Yemen within a single 24-hour period, according to the country's economy and finance minister, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh. This significant influx occurred as Houthi fighters have been tightening their control over the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Dawaleh announced the figures on social media platform X on Saturday, stating, “1,400 refugees arrived in Djibouti from Yemen in just 24 hours.” This surge in arrivals highlights the escalating humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the intensified military activity around a key global shipping lane.

In a separate post on Friday, the minister detailed that 500 refugees, including women and children, had reached the coastal city of Obock. These individuals were reportedly rescued at sea after their boats lost fuel while attempting to cross the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Obock, located approximately 20 kilometers from the Yemeni coast, has long served as a primary destination for those fleeing the war-torn country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has confirmed the arrival of vulnerable groups. Safiya Ibrahim, the IOM's humanitarian response coordinator, told Agence France-Presse that "vulnerable groups such as women and children have reached the shores of Obock, with more expected in the coming days." The IOM also reported that since July, 76,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Yemen, with this number quadrupling due to recent escalations.

Djibouti already hosts a substantial refugee population. United Nations Refugee Agency data from March 2026 indicated over 36,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen. The recent arrivals add to the existing humanitarian burden on the small nation.

The heightened displacement follows the Houthi seizure of the Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday. Since then, Houthi forces have reportedly consolidated their control over the coastline and surrounding islands of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This rapid military advance has compelled thousands of families to flee their homes, with reports of entire villages being emptied in districts such as Maqbanah, Jabal Habashi, and al-Maafer.

The Bab al-Mandeb strait is a critical chokepoint for international trade, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Suez Canal. Control over this waterway has significant geopolitical and economic implications. The strait is also utilized by migrants from the Horn of Africa transiting through Yemen en route to Gulf countries, adding another layer of complexity to the region's migratory flows.

The ongoing conflict and the tightening Houthi grip on the strait raise concerns about future displacement, the safety of maritime navigation, and the broader regional stability. The international community continues to monitor the evolving situation closely, with humanitarian organizations preparing for further potential arrivals.