Djibouti: A Refuge from Yemen's War

Djibouti is currently hosting thousands of refugees fleeing the escalating war in neighboring Yemen, where fighting has flared up between Iran's ally, the Houthis, and Saudi-backed forces trying to restore the ousted Yemeni government.

Refugees have crossed the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and are now stranded in Djibouti, unable to return to their war-torn homes.

Yemen's civil war has persisted for over a decade, with the internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia and other pro-Western allies battling the Houthi movement, a rebel group supported by Iran.

The Houthis control much of the country's northwest, and an informal four-year ceasefire began to fall apart in July, leading to intensified fighting and mass displacement.

Djibouti, strategically located, houses Camp Lemonnier, a significant US base with over 4,000 troops, which was formerly a French Foreign Legion base.

Despite challenges such as poverty and migration, the country remains relatively stable in a turbulent region, though the government currently restricts refugees from leaving the area after their sea crossing.

The BBC News team reached Obock, a location directly on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait that separates Africa from the Arabian Peninsula, to document the refugee crisis.

A refugee camp in Obock is currently hosting more than 3,000 individuals who have fled the intense fighting and airstrikes across the water in Yemen.

Frank Gardner described the basic living conditions at the refugee camp, emphasizing the challenges faced by both refugees and journalists.

A planned visit by a Djibouti government delegation presented a potential risk of interference, as authorities often seek editorial control over filming, which journalists aim to prevent to maintain independence and accurately document refugee experiences without losing recorded materials.

Following a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia that left him using a wheelchair, Frank Gardner requires precise logistical planning to carry out his field assignments.

With translator Kuri leveraging his Saudi, Djibouti, and Somali background, Frank Gardner interviewed Nia, a resident of 11 years, to capture stories from those who recently crossed the water.

Translator Kuri, leveraging his diverse background with Saudi, Djibouti, and Somali nationalities, assisted the team in accurately capturing the refugees' accounts.

Kasim Absi and his wife Aisha described fleeing their coastal town in Yemen due to relentless airstrikes, with the sound of planes instilling deep fear.

The refugees reported that bombs from the air, rather than ground advances, were the primary source of terror, driving them to seek safety.

Aisha expressed a conditional desire to return home, stating she would only do so if peace were fully restored, while Frank Gardner noted that many families arrived within the last 10 days, seeking shelter from the violence.

Near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Frank Gardner filed a live report from an Obach warehouse to capture the reality of families who braved the sea to flee conflict.

The warehouse is situated near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as the primary geographical separator between war-torn Yemen and the refuge site in Djibouti.

Refugees report being indifferent to whether air strikes are carried out by Saudi or Houthi forces, emphasizing the terrifying impact of the bombings.

Children are described as the most severely affected, experiencing panic, screaming, nightmares, and loss of appetite, with parents citing their children's psychological distress as the ultimate reason for seeking safety in Djibouti.

The camp in Djibouti currently shelters approximately 6,000 refugees, with Frank Gardner noting that the camp in the port town of Obock houses 3,000 recent arrivals.

The UN warns that an additional 7,000 people may arrive soon as fighting persists, indicating a deepening humanitarian crisis at the border.

The United Kingdom is providing defensive air-to-air refueling to Saudi Arabia, an action Frank Gardner characterizes as performative rather than a direct entry into the war.

This assistance aims to help Saudi Arabia intercept Houthi missiles and drones, while diplomatic efforts remain stagnant with no immediate end to the conflict in sight.

The reporter described the technical process of editing footage and transmitting it via satellite from a remote location, highlighting the logistical challenges of reporting from a conflict zone.

He emphasized the importance of raising awareness for the suffering of Yemeni refugees, despite the difficulty of ensuring their stories are featured on main news bulletins given global competition for coverage.

Multiple nations, including China, the US, and Spain, maintain military bases in Djibouti, underscoring the region's geopolitical importance.

The potential for Houthis to gain control over the nearby Bab al-Mandab Strait poses a significant threat to global oil supplies and international shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden, with direct implications for the global economy.