The government of Djibouti has begun arresting and deporting Yemeni, Somali and other Ethiopian nationals for violating residency and work permits.
The measures come as the security and economic situation in the countries from which the deportees fled has worsened, sparking international concern.
The Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti has been the scene of a large influx of Yemeni refugees since the war in Yemen began eight years ago.
The number of Yemenis who have fled to Djibouti is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, in addition to refugees from other African countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea who have fled conflict and oppression.
Local sources and survivors of the deportations said the campaign included raids on informal settlements, arrests of hundreds of people, and plans by the Djiboutian government to disperse the citizens to their home countries.
Humanitarian organizations have warned of the dangers facing displaced people, especially women, children and the elderly, if they return to conflict zones, especially those in Somalia and Yemen.
The organizations also called for ensuring the protection of the basic rights of migrants and refugees, and for them not to be deported to unsafe areas.
