WHO reports 164 deaths as Yemen faces renewed military escalation

Yesterday 23:56

By: Azzat Manal

WHO reports 164 deaths as Yemen faces renewed military escalation

The World Health Organization has reported 164 deaths and 516 injuries in Yemen over a six-day period as renewed fighting intensifies across the country and adds further pressure to an already fragile healthcare system.

According to figures cited by the WHO, Yemen’s Ministry of Health emergency operations center recorded 680 new casualties between September 13 and 18, including 164 people killed and 516 wounded. The figures underscore the growing humanitarian consequences of the latest escalation in a country that has endured years of conflict, economic hardship and severe disruptions to essential services.

The renewed violence has unfolded amid a broader military escalation involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and forces aligned with the internationally recognized government. The fighting has increasingly affected areas along the Red Sea coast, while attacks involving missiles and drones have also raised concerns about the security of neighboring Saudi Arabia and vital international shipping routes.

The latest escalation has compounded Yemen’s existing humanitarian crisis. The WHO has warned that the country continues to face major health challenges driven by conflict, economic collapse, displacement, food insecurity and recurring disease outbreaks. Millions of people remain dependent on humanitarian assistance, while many health facilities struggle with shortages of personnel, medicines, funding and equipment.

The renewed fighting has also triggered a significant wave of displacement. The UN migration agency reported that more than 112,000 people had been displaced inside Yemen, while thousands more had crossed the Gulf of Aden toward Djibouti as fighting intensified along the Red Sea coast.

The strategic importance of the conflict extends beyond Yemen’s borders. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world's major maritime corridors. Increased military activity in and around the waterway has raised concerns about international shipping, energy supplies and global trade.

The Houthis have also claimed attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia, including sites near Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu. Saudi authorities have reported intercepting missiles and thwarting additional attacks, while the escalation has prompted renewed international concern over the security of critical energy infrastructure and maritime routes.

The Group of Seven has condemned continued Houthi military operations, including attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping, and called for an end to military activities and a return to a political process. G7 foreign ministers also urged Iran to stop providing military support to the Houthi movement, arguing that continued escalation poses risks to regional stability and international trade.

For Yemen’s health sector, the latest violence comes at an especially difficult time. WHO estimates for 2026 indicate that 23.1 million people in the country will require humanitarian assistance, while only around 60% of health facilities are fully functional. The organization continues to support essential healthcare, disease surveillance and emergency response operations despite severe operational and funding constraints.

The combination of renewed fighting, mass displacement and pressure on medical services risks worsening conditions for civilians across the country. Beyond the immediate toll of deaths and injuries, continued instability threatens access to healthcare, food, clean water and other essential services, potentially deepening Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis.