UN Security Council: The UN Security Council backed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence, condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and energy sites and warning against threats to Red Sea shipping and Bab el-Mandeb freedom of navigation. Red Sea shipping costs: With war-risk pricing rising and traffic thinning, the Bab el-Mandeb corridor is becoming more selective, pushing up freight and insurance costs that matter for Djibouti’s import and transit economy. Djibouti refugee pressure: UN agencies say at least 112,000 people were displaced inside Yemen in two weeks, while nearly 3,000 fled by sea to Djibouti; Djibouti is preparing for up to 10,000 arrivals, straining health and education services. Humanitarian warning: UNICEF reports tens of thousands of displaced children and major disruption to schools and healthcare facilities across Yemen. Regional response: Italy says it will deploy naval protection for its merchant ships through Bab el-Mandeb without waiting for EU decisions, while India condemns the attacks and flags risks to navigation. China in Djibouti: A US think tank says China upgraded its Djibouti base with new communications and monitoring equipment, boosting its ability to track activity across the Middle East and Africa. Port performance: A World Bank ranking puts Djibouti among the top East and Horn of Africa container ports, with Djibouti rising sharply to 53rd globally.