At least 263 migrants have been reported dead or missing in Yemen and movements tracked in Obock, Djibouti heading towards the Arabian Peninsula increased significantly (+36%) from the last quarter of 2024, according to a recent report issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
This increase, IOM report explained, is likely attributed to the belief by migrants and smugglers that authorities relax their patrols along irregular routes in the weeks leading up to and during Ramadan.
Meanwhile outgoing movements from Somalia towards the Arabian Peninsula decreased significantly (6,442, -64%) from the previous quarter.
This decline may be linked to the ongoing military offensive in the Almiskad mountains in the Puntland region of Somalia and small-scale deportations around Hargeisa, which have heightened pressure on migrants and increased security presence in transit areas.
The worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen resulted in a significant increase in returns to Djibouti (+41%) from the last quarter of 2024.
Overall tracked movements by migrant children decreased (-27%), but unaccompanied children increased (from 2,575 to 2,643).
So far, 23,824 migrants have been deported from Saudi Arabia to Yemen or Ethiopia, and 497 have been deported from Oman to Yemen. The number of people forcibly returned from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia nearly doubled since the last quarter (12,767).
Girls deported to Ethiopia (53%) outnumbered boys (47%) despite girls forming a smaller share of children tracked on this route. Three quarters of girls were adolescents (73% between 15 and 17 years). Over one quarter of children (26%) was under age five.