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New Yemen fighting displaces 290,000, says UN, with pregnant women at risk

A new outbreak in fighting in Yemen has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

Al Jazeera•

At least 290,000 have been displaced in Yemen since the country’s war re-erupted in August, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian office (OCHA), with a dire threat to pregnant women.

Fighting between forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally-recognised government and Houthi rebels has intensified, particularly in Taiz governorate and coastal areas, with thousands reported killed.

An OCHA report published Friday warned that 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen face a rapidly deteriorating situation, with services disrupted and food and fuel prices rapidly rising. Among those recently displaced are 6,100 pregnant women, including 600 due to give birth within two weeks.

They also fired missiles at Aden International airport, which had reopened on Thursday after a brief closure for repairs following an earlier Houthi attack.