Aden — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that approximately 17,800 African migrants arrived in Yemen during the month of October 2025, marking one of the highest monthly influxes recorded this year along the perilous migration route from the Horn of Africa.

According to IOM’s latest Flow Monitoring Report, the majority of the migrants originated from Ethiopia and Somalia, crossing the Gulf of Aden aboard overcrowded and often unsafe boats operated by smugglers. 

Most arrivals were registered at coastal monitoring points in Shabwah, Lahj, and Taiz governorates, with many migrants expressing intentions to transit northward toward Saudi Arabia in search of work and better living conditions.

The surge represents a significant increase compared to previous months, raising concerns among humanitarian agencies about the growing risks faced by migrants amid Yemen’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. Many of those arriving are in urgent need of medical care, shelter, food, and protection services, particularly women and unaccompanied minors.

IOM has reiterated its call for enhanced international support to address the needs of migrants stranded in Yemen and to expand Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programs that offer safe repatriation options to countries of origin. 

The organization also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and to protect vulnerable populations along the Eastern Route.

Despite the dangers posed by armed conflict, trafficking networks, and harsh terrain, Yemen continues to serve as a key transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa. IOM estimates that tens of thousands of migrants remain stranded in the country, facing limited access to basic services and heightened exposure to exploitation.

The agency has urged donors and regional governments to scale up humanitarian assistance and to support long-term solutions that address both immediate needs and the structural drivers of migration.