IBB — A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near the town of Arta in Djibouti early Monday morning, sending tremors across the Gulf of Tadjoura and into western Yemen. 

The quake occurred at 05:30 UTC (08:30 local time) and originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

Residents in Djibouti City, Tadjourah, and parts of Sana’a and Al Hudaydah in Yemen reported feeling the tremors, though no casualties or major damage have been confirmed. 

The quake’s epicenter was located approximately 12 kilometers north-northwest of Arta, a region known for its seismic activity due to tectonic movements along the East African Rift.

Local authorities in Djibouti and Yemen have urged residents to remain cautious, especially in coastal and mountainous areas prone to landslides. Emergency response teams are monitoring the situation, and seismologists have not ruled out the possibility of aftershocks.

This event highlights the vulnerability of the Horn of Africa and southern Arabian Peninsula to seismic disturbances, which can exacerbate existing humanitarian challenges in the region.