Escalating conflict in Yemen drives mass coastal displacement and threatens survival of fishing communities

PRESS RELEASE

17 September 2026. London, United Kingdom / Aden, Yemen. 

English / Arabic.

Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) expresses grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation affecting coastal populations in western Yemen, where intensified hostilities have triggered large-scale displacement and severely impacted fishing-dependent communities.

Information received from local partners operating in Yemen indicates that fighting in the coastal districts of Al-Mokha and Dhubab has resulted in significant population movements away from traditional fishing areas. 

Reports indicate that thousands of families have fled coastal communities towards Aden, Taiz and other locations, while some civilians have reportedly sought safety across the Red Sea in Djibouti using local vessels. 

According to information shared by local humanitarian actors and supported by publicly available reporting from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and regional media sources referenced in correspondence from Yemen, displacement linked to recent escalations has reached tens of thousands of people across Taiz, Lahj and Al Hudaydah governorates. 

Open-source reports referenced by local partners cite more than 85,000 displaced persons, with some estimates exceeding 95,000 people affected by the latest fighting. These figures remain subject to verification and ongoing revision as the situation develops. 

Fishing Communities Among the Hardest Hit

Of particular concern is the impact on small-scale and artisanal fishing communities.

Local field reporting indicates that fishermen and their families are among those most severely affected by the conflict. Sudden changes in territorial control, insecurity at sea, disruption of coastal infrastructure, displacement from fishing villages, and loss of access to traditional landing sites have reportedly deprived many households of their primary source of income. 

Fishing communities in coastal Yemen have historically depended upon uninterrupted access to the sea for food security, employment and trade. When conflict forces residents from coastal settlements, the consequences extend beyond immediate physical displacement. Livelihoods, community networks, access to fishing equipment, vessels, markets and supply chains are all disrupted, increasing the risk of poverty, food insecurity and long-term dependency on humanitarian assistance.

The reported targeting of infrastructure in and around Al-Mokha, including reports that Al-Mokha Airport has been struck during military operations, illustrates the wider degradation of civilian economic environments in coastal areas. 

Displacement Patterns Raise Additional Humanitarian Concerns

Local reporting suggests that Aden has become a primary destination for displaced families fleeing the west coast, with emergency facilities reportedly being established to accommodate arrivals. Other displaced groups have reportedly moved inland towards Taiz, while more than 2,000 people are reported to have crossed the Red Sea seeking refuge in Djibouti. 

These displacement routes underscore the maritime dimension of the crisis. For many coastal residents, the sea is simultaneously their livelihood, a route of escape, and an environment in which significant humanitarian risks persist.

Call for Protection of Civilian Coastal Populations

Human Rights at Sea reiterates that, irrespective of political or military considerations, civilians and civilian livelihoods must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law and internationally recognised human rights standards.

The organisation calls upon:

• All parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.
• Relevant Yemeni authorities and international actors to prioritise assistance to displaced coastal and fishing communities.
• Donor governments and humanitarian agencies to recognise the specific needs of fishing households that may require support beyond conventional displacement assistance programmes.
• International organisations and coastal development agencies to assess how the loss of fishing livelihoods is affecting food security, community resilience and recovery prospects in affected regions.

Need for Enhanced Monitoring

Reliable information from affected coastal areas remains difficult to obtain as security conditions continue to evolve. Human Rights at Sea therefore supports increased humanitarian monitoring, independent reporting and needs assessments focused specifically on displaced fishing communities and their families.

David Hammond, Founder of Human Rights at Sea, said:

"The current crisis demonstrates how armed conflict can destroy not only homes but entire coastal livelihoods. Fishing communities depend upon safe and sustained access to the sea. When conflict forces them from their coastal environments, the impact can be devastating and long-lasting. The needs of displaced fishing families should be recognised as a distinct humanitarian concern requiring targeted attention from national authorities, international organisations and donor states."

Notes to Editors

Sources referenced

This statement draws upon information received from local partners in Yemen and publicly available reporting referenced within those communications, including data attributed to:

• International Organization for Migration (IOM) Yemen.
• IOM Middle East and North Africa regional reporting.
• Anadolu Agency reporting on displacement in Yemen.
• Al Jazeera reporting on conflict-related displacement.
• Additional Yemeni media reporting referenced by local humanitarian actors. 

Important Note: Figures relating to displacement and military activity remain fluid and should be considered indicative pending independent verification by relevant international humanitarian agencies. 

Ends.

Source: Human Rights at Sea 2026. 

Photo credit: iStock Dmitry_Chulov 

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