Yemen, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : Humanitarian organizations linked to the United Nations have raised alarms about the escalating violence in Yemen, which is compelling many residents to abandon their homes. The ongoing conflict has resulted in increased casualties among civilians, further straining already pressured relief efforts.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), since the beginning of September, at least 125,000 people have been forced to flee due to renewed violence in the country. The UN human rights office confirmed that in the first two weeks of this month alone, 40 civilians have lost their lives, with eight fatalities and 32 injuries reported. Notably, more than half of the deceased and injured are women and children.
Despite the dire circumstances, OCHA stated that the UN and its partner organizations continue to deliver aid. By Saturday, thousands of families had received assistance. However, there is a severe shortage of relief supplies, and current funding is insufficient to meet the needs.
OCHA noted that security risks are severely hindering the movement of relief agencies and their ability to deliver aid. Humanitarian assistance has been stalled in many areas along Yemen’s western coast, with several key roads either closed or deemed unsafe for travel.
The organization has once again called on all parties involved to ensure the safety of civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and allow relief aid to reach those in need without obstruction.
Earlier this month, Yemen’s government forces reported that over 500 soldiers had been killed and approximately 1,500 wounded in a month-long battle against Houthi rebels along the western coast. This surge in fighting coincided with the Houthi group’s attempts to gain ground towards the strategically significant Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In a statement broadcast on the government-backed Al-Jumhuriya TV, the National Resistance Forces claimed that these casualties were recorded between August 9 and September 10. They asserted that more than 1,000 Houthi fighters were killed during this period, though these figures have not been independently verified.
The conflict escalated following missile, drone, and explosive boat attacks initiated by the Houthi group. The fighting has spread from the southern areas of Hodeidah province along the Red Sea to multiple fronts in the neighboring Taiz province.
These casualties come as the Houthi group launched a significant military campaign on September 3, rapidly altering the control dynamics along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. During this offensive, Houthi fighters captured several areas in Hodeidah and Taiz provinces that were previously under government control.
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