Yemen’s worsening conflict has forced thousands of civilians to flee across the Red Sea to Djibouti, seeking safety as Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed government forces intensify their fighting along the country’s western coast.

Among those escaping the violence is Ibrahim Issa, a fisherman from Dhubab, a coastal town near the front lines. He crossed the Bab al-Mandab Strait with his family by boat, leaving behind a region increasingly threatened by airstrikes and military attacks.

Now living at the Markazi refugee camp in northern Djibouti, Issa describes the fear his children experienced during the fighting. The sound of aircraft overhead left them screaming and terrified, forcing the family to abandon their home in search of security.

The latest escalation has displaced more than 120,000 people inside Yemen, according to United Nations estimates, while thousands of others have crossed the Red Sea into Africa. Many refugees arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing, while others manage to carry a few personal belongings and livestock.

The conflict intensified after Houthi forces launched a major advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, moving toward the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group has also carried out attacks against targets in southwestern Saudi Arabia, including energy infrastructure, while Saudi-backed forces have responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions.

For civilians caught between the opposing sides, the distinction between military objectives offers little comfort. Families fleeing the violence say they are primarily concerned with escaping the bombs, finding shelter and protecting their children.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as displaced communities struggle to access food, water, healthcare and safe accommodation. Refugee facilities in Djibouti are also facing pressure as more people arrive from Yemen.

The renewed fighting threatens to deepen a conflict that has already caused years of suffering. As military operations expand along the Red Sea coast, civilians remain at the center of a crisis with few immediate signs of relief.