UN Report: Nearly 100,000 Irregular Migrants Enter Yemen in First Half of 2026

Aden — A new United Nations report has revealed that close to 100,000 irregular migrants arrived in Yemen during the first six months of 2026, underscoring the country’s role as a key transit point despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its latest monthly update, said its Displacement Tracking Matrix recorded 13,339 arrivals in June — a 15% increase compared to 11,587 in May. This brings the total number of migrants entering Yemen since January to 97,174.

According to the report, 80% of June’s arrivals came via Djibouti, landing on the coasts of Abyan and Taiz, while the remaining 20% departed from Somalia and reached Shabwa. The surge in Abyan was attributed to the suspension of security campaigns targeting smuggling networks in June, after intensified operations earlier in the year had temporarily curbed migrant flows.

Yemen continues to receive tens of thousands of African migrants annually, many seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing local conflicts, despite the perilous journeys across the sea and desert routes.

The IOM highlighted that the persistent influx reflects both the resilience of migration networks and the desperate conditions driving people to risk their lives in search of safety and livelihoods.