New Yemen fighting displaces 290,000, says UN, with pregnant women at risk

What the report says

The United Nations says renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced at least 290,000 people since hostilities escalated again in August, according to a report cited by Al Jazeera from the UN humanitarian office, OCHA. The latest wave of displacement comes as clashes between forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels intensify in Taiz governorate and along coastal areas. Al Jazeera reported that the violence has also contributed to deaths and injuries among civilians and to worsening access to basic services.

The report highlighted a particular risk for pregnant women. OCHA said 6,100 pregnant women are among those newly displaced, including 600 expected to deliver within two weeks. Aid agencies have deployed mobile teams and midwives to some displacement sites, while humanitarian groups have delivered food, hygiene supplies and emergency cash assistance to about 249,000 displaced people, or roughly three-quarters of those affected.

Al Jazeera also noted that the fighting has spread beyond Yemen’s internal front lines, with reported cross-border drone and missile incidents involving Saudi Arabia. The outlet said attacks have hit or threatened areas including Aden, where the government is based, and that both sides continue to trade accusations over strikes. The broader conflict began in 2014 and has repeatedly driven large-scale displacement, leaving Taiz and surrounding areas under severe humanitarian pressure, with road closures limiting access to food, fuel, medicine and water.