Country Risk Report
Yemen
Sana'a (de facto Houthi-held); Aden (interim government seat)
Arabic (official)
Yemeni rial (YER)
Executive Summary
Yemen is classified as an EXTREME risk destination and is the site of one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. A civil war since 2015 has divided the country between the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls the north including Sana'a and is a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, and the internationally recognised government, now the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), based in Aden and Riyadh. Main front lines have been largely frozen since a 2022 truce, but the underlying conflict is unresolved. The south saw a rapid reordering in late 2025 and early 2026, when the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized Aden and eastern governorates before a Saudi military intervention reversed the gains, the STC was expelled from the PLC, and the UAE withdrew its remaining forces. Regional escalation has spilled over: the Houthis attacked Red Sea shipping and Israel from 2023, paused after the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire, resumed missile strikes on Israel in late March 2026 during the Iran conflict, and ceased again after the April 2026 ceasefire while threatening to resume. The humanitarian picture is dire, with 22.3 million people in need and only around 59 per cent of health facilities fully functional. Cover is available on request only, subject to sanctions screening.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | Extreme | Unresolved civil war with frozen front lines, southern power struggles, and regional spillover. |
| Terrorism | Extreme | Houthi actions plus an active AQAP and Islamic State presence in central and southern areas. |
| Kidnapping | Extreme | Detention by the Houthis and abduction by AQAP and criminal networks for ransom and leverage. |
| Crime | High | Armed and opportunistic crime amid collapsed order and economic crisis. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Southern unrest and protests, with lethal force used against demonstrators. |
| Health & Medical | Extreme | Health system near collapse with famine risk. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | Extreme | Front lines, checkpoints, mines and divided control make movement extremely dangerous. |
| Digital / Cyber | High | Surveillance and monitoring, with detention risk from device content in Houthi areas. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Yemen is a divided conflict environment with no safe area. The Houthis control the populous north, the internationally recognised government holds the south, front lines are frozen but volatile, and southern power struggles and regional escalation add further risk.
Sana'a and the North (Houthi-controlled)
Aden and the South
Marib and the Central Front
The Red Sea Coast and Bab-el-Mandeb
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
The civil war is unresolved despite frozen front lines. The Houthis hold the north, the PLC holds the south, and 2025 to 2026 saw a violent southern power struggle and a Saudi intervention, alongside regional escalation linked to the Iran conflict.
The north is under firm Houthi military control.
The south saw the STC seizure and Saudi-backed reversal in 2025 to 2026.
Marib and the central front remain active flashpoints.
The coast is tied to the maritime conflict and periodic strikes.
Terrorism
Beyond the Houthi threat, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and an Islamic State presence remain active, particularly in central and southern areas, targeting security forces and officials. Houthi missile and drone activity is tied to the wider regional conflict.
The north faces Houthi military threats rather than classic terrorism.
The south faces an AQAP and Islamic State threat.
The central areas see AQAP activity.
The coast faces maritime and missile-related threats.
Kidnapping and Detention
The Houthis detain foreigners and aid workers on spying accusations, and AQAP and criminal and tribal networks abduct for ransom and leverage. Detention conditions are poor and access is limited.
The north carries a high risk of Houthi detention of foreigners and aid workers.
The south carries abduction risk from AQAP and criminal actors.
The central areas carry tribal and militant abduction risk.
Coastal and maritime areas carry risk to seafarers and shipping.
Crime and Lawlessness
Collapsed order, economic crisis and the proliferation of weapons drive armed and opportunistic crime. Checkpoints, tribal dynamics and smuggling networks add to insecurity.
The north is tightly controlled by the Houthis, with crime alongside political repression.
The south sees armed crime amid the power struggle.
Central areas see tribal and armed crime.
Coastal areas see smuggling-related crime.
Internal Travel
Movement is extremely dangerous and constrained by front lines, divided control, checkpoints and mines. Crossing between Houthi and government areas is hazardous, air links are limited, and Sana'a airport operations are restricted.
Movement in the north is controlled and monitored by the Houthis.
Southern travel is affected by the power struggle and unrest.
Central front areas are hazardous and militarised.
Coastal and maritime movement is tied to the Red Sea crisis.
Health and Disease
The health system is near collapse, with only around 59 per cent of facilities fully functional, widespread food insecurity, famine risk and recurrent cholera. Serious cases require international evacuation, which is difficult from a divided and insecure country.
Northern facilities are strained and affected by aid restrictions.
Southern facilities are limited and disrupted by unrest.
Central areas have minimal services.
Coastal areas have limited care and are exposed to conflict.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Yemen is a deeply conservative, majority-Muslim society, and the Houthis enforce strict social rules in the north. Tribal identity is central, political topics are dangerous, and dress and behaviour should be conservative throughout.
The north enforces strict Houthi social codes.
The south is conservative with tribal structures.
Central areas are conservative and tribal.
Coastal communities are conservative.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and can carry the death penalty, and enforcement is severe, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas. LGBT travellers face extreme danger and must exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines, IEDs and Unexploded Ordnance
Yemen is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with extensive Houthi-laid mines and unexploded ordnance across front lines, roads, farmland and the coast. Contamination causes continuous civilian casualties, and travellers should stay strictly on paved surfaces.
Northern and front-line areas are heavily contaminated.
Southern former battle areas retain contamination.
The central front is heavily mined.
The Red Sea coast has mine and naval-mine contamination.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
The internationally recognised government operates from Aden and Riyadh under the PLC, while the Houthis run a de facto administration in the north. The UN has relocated its main offices to Aden after Houthi detentions of staff, and consular support inside the country is minimal. Regional backers, principally Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are deeply involved.
The north is administered by the de facto Houthi authorities.
The south hosts the recognised government and the reduced UN presence.
Central areas are contested.
Coastal control is divided and strategically sensitive.
Digital and Cyber Threats
Communications are monitored, particularly in the north, and connectivity is uneven. In Houthi areas, device content and affiliations can trigger detention on spying accusations, and internet disruption can occur.
The north has heavily monitored connectivity and detention risk from device content.
The south has functioning but monitored connectivity.
Central areas have disrupted connectivity.
Coastal connectivity is variable.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Cholera
Recommended given major recurrent outbreaks.
- Poliomyelitis
Recommended given circulation and disrupted immunisation.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Measles (MMR)
Recommended given outbreak risk.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care and trauma risk.
Other Health Hazards
- Malaria: Risk in coastal and low-lying areas. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
- Famine and malnutrition: Widespread food insecurity and famine risk; carry your own supplies.
- Cholera: Major recurrent outbreaks amid damaged water and sanitation.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is very limited. Carry a trauma kit and pre-arrange evacuation.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule. Consult a health professional four to six weeks before departure.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Yemen. Cover is available on request only, subject to sanctions screening given the Houthi terrorist designation affecting the north, and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. Policies may exclude Houthi-controlled and front-line areas and require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
Crossing between Houthi and government areas involves very different checkpoints and rules. Houthi checkpoints and authorities detain foreigners and aid workers on spying accusations. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose; permits may be required to move between zones. Do not photograph checkpoints, forces or military sites.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Houthi detention of foreigners and aid workers is a primary risk in the north. Abduction by AQAP and criminal actors for ransom is a risk in central and southern areas. Most incidents occur in transit and at zone crossings. Seafarers face risk in and around the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb.High-Risk Travellers
Leisure travellers have no reason or support structure in an active war. Aid workers are specifically detained in the north and abducted in the south. Unaccompanied individuals face heightened risk at checkpoints and zone crossings. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage front-line, mine and famine conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Travel only for critical purposes with specialist security support and war-risk insurance covering evacuation and K&R. Confirm sanctions status and insurance eligibility, particularly for the north. Establish extraction and evacuation plans before arrival and carry a trauma kit. Carry your own food, water and medical supplies.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Clear sensitive imagery, mapping data and affiliations, especially before entering Houthi areas. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync. Assume communications are monitored in the north.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid the north and front lines, which carry detention and combat risk. Treat crossings between Houthi and government areas as high risk. Stay strictly on paved surfaces due to landmines. Expect Houthi, government and tribal checkpoints.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Dress and behave conservatively; strict codes apply in the north. Avoid political and tribal topics. Never photograph forces, checkpoints or military sites.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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