Agencies | Washington:
More than 201,000 people have been displaced in Yemen as fighting intensifies across several parts of the country, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM said 201,217 people had been displaced so far, a sharp increase from the 76,000 displaced people it reported in mid-September, highlighting the growing humanitarian impact of the escalating conflict.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have claimed advances in western Taiz as part of their “Dawn of Yemen” operation aimed at reclaiming territory in the mountainous belt overlooking Yemen’s western coast.
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had halted an advance by Yemeni government forces in Al Jawf governorate, claiming that a number of opposing fighters were killed or wounded in the clashes.
The fighting has also been accompanied by attacks involving missiles and drones. Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles and suicide drones towards Aden International Airport in the port city, although no casualties were reported.
Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a missile north of Riyadh, underscoring the continued risk of the conflict spreading beyond Yemen’s front lines.
The latest escalation has further worsened the humanitarian situation in Yemen, where years of conflict have already displaced millions of people and left large sections of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance.
