Over 68 African migrants were reported killed in a US airstrike on a detention facility in Houthi-controlled Yemen, highlighting the tragic consequences of the ongoing hostilities in the region. The strike has drawn international condemnation and raised humanitarian concerns regarding the treatment of migrants in Yemen.
Tragic US Airstrike Claims Lives of African Migrants in Yemen
Tragic US Airstrike Claims Lives of African Migrants in Yemen
A recent US military strike on a detention center in Yemen has reportedly killed dozens of African migrants, raising concerns of civilian casualties amid ongoing conflict.
At least 68 African migrants have reportedly lost their lives due to a US airstrike targeting a detention center in Saada, a province controlled by the Houthi movement in north-western Yemen, according to reports from Houthi-run media, Al Masirah. This strike inflicted critical injuries on an additional 47 migrants, prompting outrage and condemnation from human rights advocates.
The airstrike occurred as part of a broader US military campaign aiming to diminish Houthi capabilities, following President Donald Trump's recent orders to intensify operations against the group. US Central Command acknowledged the allegations of civilian casualties but emphasized that its primary goal remains the disruption of Houthi military operations, which have been criticized for their aggression towards neighboring countries and shipping in the region.
Compounding the tragedy, the detention center was reportedly housing 115 individuals when it was hit four times shortly before dawn. Eyewitness testimonials expressed the horror experienced during the raid, with rescuers attempting to extract bodies from the rubble. Ibrahim Cabdulqaadir Macallin, the chairman of the Somali community in Yemen, described the scene as "tragic" and highlighted the need for accountability, asserting that the facility was not located near any military establishments, which raises questions regarding the justification for the strike.
In addition to the human cost, this incident underscores the precarious position of migrants in Yemen, a country that has seen a surge of people fleeing political and economic instability in the Horn of Africa. The International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 60,900 migrants entered Yemen in 2024, often under dire conditions and in search of better opportunities, only to face risks of violence and detention.
The Houthi government has condemned the airstrike as a "war crime" and is calling for an international response to what it describes as the unlawful targeting of civilians. Meanwhile, US officials are conducting a battle-damage assessment of the strike to understand the full extent of its impact.
This tragic loss of life is a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where over 19 million people are in urgent need of assistance. The civil war, exacerbated by foreign interventions and prolonged conflict, has rendered Yemen one of the most affected nations by war, displacing millions and leaving many more vulnerable to the violence.
As community leaders urge for international humanitarian support, the strikes have already prompted the Houthis to retaliate, escalating tensions in a region fraught with violence and instability. The conflict, which began in 2015, has seen various shifts in power and external intervention, illustrating the complexities of Yemen's humanitarian landscape.
