NYN | News
Yemen’s coastal areas are witnessing a remarkable surge in the influx of African migrants, with October 2025 recording the highest number of arrivals in nearly a year, according to a recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Based on the organization’s migrant flow monitoring data, 17,685 migrants entered Yemen last month—an increase of about 99% compared to September, which saw 8,878 arrivals. The last comparable figure was recorded in December 2024, when 20,435 migrants arrived.
The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) indicated that the vast majority of new arrivals were Ethiopian nationals (97%), totaling 17,131 migrants, while Somalis made up 3% (552 migrants). Men constituted 66% of total arrivals, women 17%, and children 16%.
The report noted that Djibouti served as the primary departure point for 75% of the migrants, followed by Somalia (22%) and Oman (3%).
Migrants departing from Djibouti primarily landed in Ahwar District in Abyan Governorate (57%), followed by Dhubab District in Taiz Governorate (30%). Meanwhile, the majority of migrants coming from Somalia arrived in Rudum District, Shabwa Governorate (81%), with some heading to Ahwar (14%).
The report also stated that Omani authorities deported 459 migrants to Shahan District in Al-Mahra Governorate, while no new arrivals were recorded along the coasts of Lahj Governorate.
Conversely, the IOM observed that 1,825 Ethiopian migrants departed Yemen in October via ten sea voyages from Lahj Governorate bound for Obock, Djibouti.
