Thousands of Yemeni civilians are fleeing the country in overcrowded boats as the war between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalates, with the conflict spreading across the Middle East and threatening global oil supplies.
The United Nations reports that more than 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes by the latest wave of clashes between the Houthi terrorists and Saudi-backed forces. Refugees arriving in Africa after crossing the Red Sea in cramped vessels describe harsh conditions during the journey.
Ahmed Hassan, 70, who fled his village with his family, told the International Organization for Migration after reaching his destination safely that the crossing was difficult and that the children fell ill along the way.
"The sea was rough. The children started getting sick; all of them... not used to the sea," he said.
Hassan also described conditions in his home area before bombardments and heavy fighting forced him to leave. "The longer we stayed, the worse it got. The shops closed and there was no more food to buy," he said.
Meanwhile, the Houthi-controlled television network reported extensive Saudi airstrikes across several areas of Yemen, including near the border and in coastal zones. The Houthis claimed they had shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet and released a video showing fighters celebrating beside what they said was the aircraft's wreckage.
The spread of the fighting and damage to major transportation and energy routes have driven a sharp rise in global fuel and oil prices, with the price of a barrel reaching levels that weigh on the world economy.
Against the backdrop of international efforts to contain the escalation and reopen major shipping routes, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a media interview that he hoped the war was nearing its end.
"Well, hopefully we're nearing the end of the war," Trump said. Referring to Iranian actors, he added that they "want to make a deal. We'll see how it works out."
