UN Report: Over 19,000 African Migrants Arrived in Yemen During February

A recent United Nations report has disclosed that more than 19,000 African migrants arrived in Yemen during February, signaling a continuation of irregular migration flows across Yemeni shores.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its monthly report released on Sunday, stated that its Displacement Tracking Matrix team in Yemen documented the entry of 19,337 African migrants in February. This figure represents a 9% decrease compared to January, which had recorded 21,050 arrivals.

The report detailed that 71% of the migrants originated from Djibouti's coasts, landing in the governorates of Abyan and Taiz. Meanwhile, 28% arrived via Somali coasts, all disembarking in Shabwah governorate, with the remainder entering through Oman, reaching Al Mahra governorate.

According to the findings, males constituted 63% of the total arrivals, while children accounted for 19%, and women made up 18% of the migrant influx.

The international organization noted that the cumulative number of migrants reaching Yemen since the beginning of January 2026 has reached 40,387, occurring amidst the country's persistent complex humanitarian and security conditions.

Yemen annually witnesses the arrival of tens of thousands of African migrants, primarily from the Horn of Africa, who seek improved economic circumstances or are fleeing local conflicts, despite the significant perils encountered during the journey and post-arrival.