UN reports 290,000 Yemenis displaced as war intensifies

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that at least 290,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the conflict reignited in August. The figure represents a sharp increase in forced movement as battles between government loyalists and Houthi rebels have expanded across the country.

OCHA published a report on Friday detailing the rapid deterioration of conditions for 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers currently in Yemen. The agency noted that essential services are failing while the prices of food and fuel continue to climb. Among the newly displaced population are 6,100 pregnant women, with 600 of them expected to give birth within the next two weeks.

To address the medical crisis, the UN deployed mobile teams and midwives to displacement sites. Aid organizations have managed to deliver food, hygiene supplies, and emergency cash to approximately 249,000 people. This assistance covers about three in four of the displaced individuals.

The escalation has crossed borders, affecting Saudi Arabia. On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition announced it intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki stated that authorities were inspecting the site and reported no casualties. This was the second drone interception over the capital area in two days.

Saudi Arabia also reported that drones were downed near Mecca, Medina, and Riyadh on Friday, along with a Houthi missile aimed at the southern part of the kingdom. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied launching drones toward Saudi territory, labeling the claims egregious lies. The group has consistently denied targeting Islam's two holiest cities while claiming responsibility for strikes on the Saudi capital, airports, and oil infrastructure.

In Yemen's interim capital of Aden, the government announced on Friday that the Houthis fired at least three ballistic missiles at the Maashiq presidential palace. The group also targeted Aden International airport, which had reopened on Thursday after a brief closure for repairs. The government cabinet denounced the strikes, describing the airport attack as a direct blow to citizens and an effort to disrupt legitimate institutions.

Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, the spokesman for Yemen's government forces, said his units neutralized about 336 Houthi fighters and commanders in recent hours. He claimed that warplanes, drones, and artillery destroyed or damaged 112 vehicles and weapons systems on fronts including Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, and al-Bayda. The government forces targeted command centers and supply routes during the offensive.

Civilian casualties remain high in Taiz governorate. The government-aligned Saba news agency reported that one civilian was killed and five were injured in Houthi attacks, including a child. The UN has verified 270 civilian casualties since August, with 68 of those killed being children. The Yemeni Network for Rights and Freedoms recorded at least 189 civilian deaths in Taiz between September 1 and October 29, including 38 children and 27 women. The group also documented 23 field executions and more than 300 abductions.

Roads closed by the fighting now block food, medicine, fuel, and water from reaching two million people in the area. The Houthis have tightened their grip around Taiz city after seizing ground to the south, including al-Turbah. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, discussed the situation with counterparts from the United States, Russia, and Europe during a G20 meeting in Atlanta on Saturday.