Escape to the war: Understanding Ethiopian migration to Yemen

Abstract This article scrutinizes the enduring migration corridor from Ethiopia to Yemen, ultimately leading many to Saudi Arabia. This route, steeped in a rich historical context of interregional movement between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, particularly from Ethiopia to Yemen, is explored not for its novelty but for the distinct contemporary challenges it poses to migrants. The study delves into the motivations, strategies, and resilience of migrants traveling through these historically significant yet perilous paths under present-day geopolitical and socio-economic conditions. Although the route itself is not unusual within the long history of regional migration, the term “unusual” is applied here to discuss the heightened risks and the complex dynamics faced by migrants today. Utilizing reports and firsthand interviews from international aid organizations, the research offers a granular analysis of how these migrations influence the demographic fabric of the Gulf region and the integration of migrants upon arrival. By melding economic, social, and integrative aspects of migration, the article enhances the scholarly discourse on migration studies, emphasizing the transformational impact of established migration routes in contemporary settings.