Why migrants risk the perilous Yemen-Gulf route

At least 68 migrants died, and 74 went missing after a boat carrying 154 Ethiopian nationals capsized off the coast of Yemen on August 3, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed.

The vessel sank in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen’s southern Abyan province, a frequent point of arrival for migrants seeking passage to the Gulf.

According to IOM officials, the boat, reportedly overcrowded and unfit for the journey, was part of a high-risk route regularly used by people-smugglers who deceive migrants with false promises of safety and opportunity.

This tragedy adds to a growing list of maritime disasters in the region. In March, four boats capsized off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, leaving at least two dead and 186 people missing.

In search of work

Despite being engulfed in civil war for over a decade, Yemen continues to serve as a major corridor for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa, many of whom are headed for Gulf Arab states in search of work. These journeys are often arranged by smuggling networks and involve unsafe vessels that put lives at constant risk.

Although a truce signed in 2022 between the Houthi militants and government forces has reduced violence in Yemen, the economic situation remains dire. High levels of youth unemployment, continued conflict in neighbouring countries, and worsening climate conditions have pushed thousands to migrate through Yemen.

Many migrants are fleeing violence in Somalia and Ethiopia, while others cite poverty and lack of opportunities at home. The IOM has called this migration corridor route one of the busiest and most dangerous in the world.

According to IOM data, in 2024, more than 60,000 migrants arrived in Yemen, marking a drop from 97,200 in 2023, likely due to increased patrols along the sea route. Yet, the risk of death remains high. At least 558 migrants lost their lives on this route last year alone. Over the past ten years, more than 2,000 people have gone missing while attempting the crossing, including at least 693 who drowned.

Beyond the threat of drowning, migrants face other dangers like starvation, diseases, and exploitation by traffickers. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have repeatedly continue to urge regional governments and the international community to address the root causes of migration and improve rescue efforts at sea.