Fighting in Yemen Displaces Over 184,000 People Since August, Says IOM

GENEVA, October 6. /TASS/. Fighting in Yemen has resulted in the displacement of more than 184,000 people since the beginning of August, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), part of the UN system, said.

"More than 184,000 people were forced to flee their homes due to heavy fighting in Yemen between August 1 and October 4, with most of the displacement occurring since early September," the IOM said. Nearly 21,800 people were displaced between September 27 and October 3, an increase of 26% from the previous week. About 4,500 people fled their homes on October 4 alone. All of them "need food, shelter and other basic humanitarian assistance."

"As the conflict escalates, more people are caught in a devastating cycle of displacement, living in fear for their lives and uncertain about what lies ahead," IOM Director General Amy Pope said. "We reiterate the urgent need to ensure humanitarian access to all those affected."

The IOM warned that "as the situation remains unstable, further displacement may occur in the coming days."

Armed hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces have continued in Yemen since August 2014. In July, the rebels announced a naval blockade against the kingdom and subsequently struck several Saudi-owned oil tankers.

In early August, the Ansar Allah movement launched an offensive in southwestern Yemen, and on September 10-11 took control of the port city of Mocha and areas with access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. On October 4, Yemen’s government forces announced the launch of a large-scale military operation to retake territory controlled by the rebels.