A tragic incident unfolded in Saada, Yemen, where reports suggest that dozens of African migrants were killed in an attack, with the Iran-backed Houthi militia attributing the strike to American military action amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
Dozens Killed in Yemen Migrant Facility Attack Amid U.S. Airstrikes
Dozens Killed in Yemen Migrant Facility Attack Amid U.S. Airstrikes
At least 68 African migrants reportedly killed in an alleged U.S. airstrike on a migrant center in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
The Houthi militia announced on April 28, 2025, that a U.S. airstrike targeted a migrant facility in northern Yemen, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 African migrants. The lack of an immediate comment from the U.S. military in response to these claims has left many questions unanswered.
The Houthi officials condemned the strike, calling it a “heinous crime” and asserting that it was part of a broader pattern of civilian casualties linked to U.S. military operations in Yemen. They highlighted that over 100 civilians have reportedly died in recent strikes. In the midst of this conflict, U.S. Central Command had conducted over 800 strikes since mid-March, targeting military installations without acknowledgment of civilian loss.
Graphic footage aired on al-Masirah, a Houthi-controlled channel, depicted horrific scenes of destruction, including bodies among the rubble, as aid officials confirmed that at least 40 additional migrants were wounded. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as tens of thousands of African migrants embark on perilous journeys to reach Gulf states via Yemen, with around 60,900 arrivals reported in the country for the year 2024, according to the International Organization for Migration.
In a backdrop of ongoing violence, the Houthis have escalated their military response by launching rockets and drones, aligning their rhetoric with the struggles of Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile, President Trump's administration has intensified military operations against the Houthis, pressing forward until they are deemed no longer a threat to U.S. interests in the region.
Ismaeel Naar is an international correspondent covering the Gulf states from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Houthi officials condemned the strike, calling it a “heinous crime” and asserting that it was part of a broader pattern of civilian casualties linked to U.S. military operations in Yemen. They highlighted that over 100 civilians have reportedly died in recent strikes. In the midst of this conflict, U.S. Central Command had conducted over 800 strikes since mid-March, targeting military installations without acknowledgment of civilian loss.
Graphic footage aired on al-Masirah, a Houthi-controlled channel, depicted horrific scenes of destruction, including bodies among the rubble, as aid officials confirmed that at least 40 additional migrants were wounded. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as tens of thousands of African migrants embark on perilous journeys to reach Gulf states via Yemen, with around 60,900 arrivals reported in the country for the year 2024, according to the International Organization for Migration.
In a backdrop of ongoing violence, the Houthis have escalated their military response by launching rockets and drones, aligning their rhetoric with the struggles of Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile, President Trump's administration has intensified military operations against the Houthis, pressing forward until they are deemed no longer a threat to U.S. interests in the region.
Ismaeel Naar is an international correspondent covering the Gulf states from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
