Thousands of Yemeni families are seeking refuge in Djibouti, fleeing a sudden surge in fighting along Yemen's Red Sea coast. More than 3,000 refugees have arrived in the Markazi camp in Obock, northern Djibouti, in just the last few days. The United Nations estimates that over 120,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the escalating conflict.

Ibrahim Issa, a 50-year-old fisherman from the Yemeni coastal town of Dhubab, described the terror that forced him to flee. "How could I just sit there when my kids are screaming and shaking in terror?" he said. The sound of planes, he explained, triggers intense fear in children, prompting parents to seek safety for their families.

Issa managed to escape on his fishing boat, bringing his family and several goats. Some families have managed to bring small possessions, while others have arrived with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The Markazi camp, jointly administered by the Djibouti government and the UN, houses many of these displaced families in open-sided warehouses.

The recent escalation involves the Houthis making advances down the coast towards Bab al-Mandab, a crucial maritime chokepoint. Saudi Arabia, supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, has responded with numerous air strikes. The Houthis, in turn, have launched drones and missiles towards southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Refugees in Djibouti expressed a clear message: their flight is driven by the bombs falling around them, regardless of which side is attacking. Djibouti, located directly across the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Yemen, has stated it will not involve itself in the conflict.

The country has become a significant location for foreign military bases, including a large US facility established in 2003, reflecting its strategic importance in the region. However, Djibouti itself is one of Africa's most militarized nations.

The increased fighting threatens to disrupt vital shipping lanes passing through the Bab al-Mandab, a narrow strait through which a significant portion of global trade flows. The humanitarian impact is also substantial, with thousands more displaced in an already war-torn country.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with concerns growing over the potential for further destabilization in the region and the ongoing suffering of the Yemeni civilian population. The long-term implications for regional security and the humanitarian crisis remain significant.