World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Renewed fighting halts searches for missing people in Yemen
Yemen’s decade-long war has left hundreds of people missing since fighting began in 2014.
Munif left his family in Sanaa in 2020 to fight with the Houthis, but never returned.
His family still does not know whether he was killed or captured.
The renewed fighting since July has hindered searches by families trying to learn what happened to loved ones.
Since July, the International Committee of the Red Cross has received more than 1,800 tracing requests from families in Yemen.
In May, the internationally recognised government and the Houthis agreed to exchange more than 1,600 detainees, but the exchange deal has been postponed after both sides accused each other of obstructing it.
Families continue to wait for information about missing relatives.
Renewed fighting in Yemen has halted or hindered many families’ efforts to find missing relatives.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has received more than 1,800 tracing requests from families since July.
The conflict has left families uncertain whether missing people were killed, detained, injured or lost amid displacement and record-keeping problems.
Munif’s family has searched for him since he left Sanaa in 2020 to fight with the Houthis.
A planned exchange of more than 1,600 detainees was postponed after the Yemeni government and the Houthis accused each other of obstructing it.
- Who
- Families in Yemen searching for missing relatives, including Munif’s family.
- What
- Renewed fighting has halted or hindered searches for missing people.
- When
- Fighting resumed in July; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Yemen, including front lines near the Saudi-Yemen border and in Marib.
- Why
- Renewed fighting has disrupted searches and left families uncertain about whether relatives were detained, injured, killed or lost in records.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
War broke out after the Houthis captured the capital and forced the internationally recognised government to flee south.
Munif left his home in Sanaa to fight with the Houthis.
A truce between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis raised hopes that families could search for missing relatives.
The Yemeni government and the Houthis signed a UN-backed agreement in Jordan to exchange more than 1,600 detainees.
Fighting resumed, and the ICRC began receiving tracing requests; the exchange deal was later postponed.
- ICRC tracing requests
- More than 1,800 since July 2026
- Detainee exchange agreement
- More than 1,600 people
- Agreement location
- Jordan
- Munif
- Left Sanaa in 2020 to fight with the Houthis
- Abdulaziz
- 24; fighting for the Houthis in Marib
What people are saying
A definite answer about his status would be a relief for the entire family.
We just need to know what happened to him.
We are waiting for a phone call from Abdulaziz, and we do not know if he will ever call us.
Posts on X
The recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen has left countless families in anguish. Since July 2026, we have received over 1,800 tracing requests from families looking for missing loved ones. “Families of the missing have the right to know the fate and whereabouts of their
Sources
Related news
UK says Iran was highly likely behind RAF Fairford security incident
Hezbollah to offer up to $14,000 to Lebanese families with destroyed homes
Houthis threaten response to any attack on Sanaa after coalition warning
Saudi Arabia reports new missile and drone threats as Riyadh airport stays shut
Israel turns back Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight over Indonesian pilot
Singapore advises citizens to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia
Thirty-one detained in drug operation across 14 Ankara districts
Investigation identifies British man in Israeli army photo outside Gaza school
Saudi-led coalition tells civilians to leave Yemen oil site in Sanaa
15-year-old arrested over suspected racist assault on Druze woman on bus
Iran warns it could target Gulf data centres and internet cables
