Current Wars in the World Intensify as Iran-Backed Rebels Capture Red Sea Port amid Yemen Fighting
In current wars in the world, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have captured a Red Sea port, tightening their grip on a key global maritime chokepoint, while renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced over 11,400 households and severely constrained humanitarian aid delivery. [3][4]
Houthi Capture of Red Sea Port
Iran-backed rebels capture Red Sea port, tightening grip on a key global chokepoint. [3]
Yemeni Army Declares Military Zone
Yemeni army declares military zone, warns civilians to avoid Taiz-Mocha road. Armed forces say they will use all available weapons, firepower against Houthi military movements within designated area. [1]
UN officials express deep concern over Yemen developments after eight vehicles seized from humanitarian hub. — Source: anadolu
Rising Displacement and Civilian Toll
Renewed fighting drives displacement, hinders aid delivery. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned by the situation unfolding in Yemen, stressing that the last thing the people of Yemen need is more fighting and more displacement. Earlier this week, the UN reported that 5,600 households had been displaced; that number has since increased to 11,400 households newly displaced across the country, the vast majority in the provinces of Taiz and Al Hodeidah. Tragically, women and children are once again paying a high price. Between the start of September and today, at least 14 civilians have been killed or injured, including the deaths of two children. [4]
Impact on Humanitarian Operations
UN 'deeply concerned' by developments in Yemen as 8 vehicles seized from humanitarian hub. Agency warns rising hostilities constrain aid delivery while partners assist more than 2,700 households. [2] There are concerning reports of security incidents affecting humanitarian premises, supplies and distributions in Al Makha. Combined with insecurity along key routes, these incidents are constraining humanitarian operations and humanitarian partners’ ability to reach people in need. Communities need an end to the fighting, and humanitarian workers must be able to safely do their jobs. Despite the challenges, rapid response partners have reached more than 2,700 households with emergency assistance. More funding and better access are critical to reach all those who need assistance. The UN calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law. They must protect civilians, including by allowing them to move to safer areas, and must facilitate unimpeded access for humanitarian relief to reach all those in dire need. [4]
Current Wars in the World: Related Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises
#Occupied Palestinian Territory West Bank: Families displaced amid demolitions, violence OCHA warns of a rise in demolitions of Palestinian homes and other property in Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank in recent days. On Tuesday, Israeli authorities demolished 20 homes and other structures, including a water cistern and solar panels, in two Palestinian herding communities in that area. Combined with the demolition of a third nearby community last Wednesday, these actions have displaced nearly 60 people, half of them children, and otherwise affected 30 people who stay in the area seasonally. Many of the destroyed properties had been built with donor support. Masafer Yatta is home to roughly 1,200 Palestinians living across 13 communities – all under pressure to leave, as Israeli authorities have designated this area as a “firing zone.” humanitarian colleagues say that adding to this pressure is a rise in settler violence against those communities, following the establishment of settlement outposts in the area in recent years. Yesterday, the UN and humanitarian partners visited Masafer Yatta to speak with displaced people who are receiving vital assistance, including emergency shelter, food, hygiene, baby products and psychosocial support. Across the West Bank, 1,500 Palestinians have been displaced so far this year due to demolitions and more than 2,600 have been displaced due to settler violence and related access restrictions. Gaza: UN, partners rush in aid after air strike Yesterday, humanitarian partners visited people in the Gaza Strip who were affected by an air strike on Al Bureij area of Deir al Balah the day before. The UN and partners are mobilizing rapid support for 30 families who were confirmed to have had their shelters destroyed or damaged. In the first week of September, humanitarian partners provided rapid assistance to over 100 households affected by 18 incidents reported by communities across the Gaza Strip, including – among others – air strikes, the collapse of damaged buildings and domestic fires. This is on top of ongoing shelter assistance by the UN and partners, which reached over 1,800 households that week – with provisions including tents, sealing-off materials, bedding sets, solar lamps and searchlights. [4]
#Democratic Republic of the Congo New Ebola treatment centre boosts response efforts OCHA reports that the UN and its partners continue to support national authorities in scaling up the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yesterday in Tshopo Province, the first Ebola treatment centre in the provincial capital Kisangani was opened. The 50-bed facility is expanding treatment capacity in a province that continues to report new Ebola cases, with 24 confirmed cases recorded to date. The UN and partners are also strengthening disease surveillance and community engagement in areas at heightened risk of Ebola spreading. In Ituri Province, OCHA recently brought together more than 120 representatives from the mining sector and local authorities to reinforce awareness and disease monitoring in mining communities, where population movements can increase the risk of transmission. OCHA warns that conflict continues to complicate Ebola response efforts. Recent armed attacks in Haut-Uele and Ituri provinces have displaced civilians into Tshopo Province, raising concerns about the further spread of the disease. The Ebola outbreak has now expanded across six of the 26 provinces in the DRC. As of 8 September, national health authorities had reported more than 6,800 confirmed cases and over 3,300 deaths. OCHA reiterates the need for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to communities in need and sustained international support to help contain the outbreak and deliver life-saving assistance. [4]
#Cuba Power crisis deepens humanitarian needs OCHA reports that Cuba’s severe power crisis continues to take a growing toll on basic services. According to authorities, electricity generation in August met less than one third of national demand, down from 45 per cent in January. In some parts of the country, people have endured power outages lasting more than 30 hours. The electricity shortfall is worsening a water crisis following a dry summer, affecting an estimated 3.5 million people, roughly half of them in the capital Havana. The UN is especially concerned over the impact of power outages on healthcare. The operation of critical medical equipment, including incubators and ventilators, is being disrupted. Interruptions to the cold chain are putting routine immunization programmes at risk, potentially affecting nearly 70,000 children. High inflation and rising food prices continue to erode people's purchasing power and increase humanitarian needs, particularly food insecurity. Despite these challenges, the new school year has begun, with approximately 1.4 million students returning to classrooms nationwide. The UN and humanitarian partners continue to work closely with authorities to support the people with the most severe needs, including hospitalized patients, pregnant women, older people and children. So far, the UN has received $42 million towards the $94 million Plan of Action to deliver life-saving aid to 2 million people. Partners have reached some 1.6 million people with some form of aid since the launch of the plan last October. But needs continue to outpace available resources. Most humanitarian partners remain significantly underfunded, particularly in food security, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene services. Humanitarian operations are also facing logistical challenges linked to overcompliance to sanctions, such as shipping companies discontinuing services. This situation affects the entire country’s supply chain for medicine, food, water treatment equipment and other critical supplies. As the Secretary-General has previously said, he is concerned about the humanitarian situation and reiterates his call on Member States to facilitate the timely and unimpeded delivery of life-saving aid, including fuel for humanitarian purposes, and to increase their financial contributions to the Plan of Action. [4]
Allegations in Sudan Conflict
Over the weekend, the New York Times and Washington Post both reported on a “dossier of evidence” that detailed the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The dossier, “shared by a Middle Eastern intelligence agency”, included images, documents and intercepted messages between Sudanese military officers that described how the army “developed and produced chemical weapons over six months in 2024”. Multiple Sudanese and US sources have told Middle East Eye that the “Middle Eastern intelligence agency” is Israeli, and that the dossier it shared with the media was very similar to one Israel handed to the US government before it sanctioned Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the SAF, in January 2025. [5]
What to watch next: The UN calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and facilitate unimpeded access for humanitarian relief while partners continue rapid response efforts in affected areas.
