U.S. Airstrike Kills Dozens of African Migrants

U.S. Airstrike Kills Dozens of African Migrants

On Sunday night, April 27, 2025, a U.S. airstrike targeted a detention center in Saada, Yemen, killing at least 68 African migrants and injuring 47 others, according to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

nThe facility, located in a Houthi-controlled stronghold, housed 115 migrants, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia. The Houthis described the attack as a “war crime,” alleging it struck a shelter supervised by the United Nations’

International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Red Cross. Graphic footage broadcast by Houthi-run Al Masirah TV showed dead bodies and wounded individuals at the site, highlighting the strike’s devastating impact.

Location

The strike occurred in Saada governorate, a northern region of Yemen firmly under Houthi control. Saada has been a frequent target of U.S. military operations due to its strategic importance to the Houthi movement.

Yemen, ravaged by a decade-long civil war, serves as a key transit route for African migrants seeking work in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Over 300,000 migrants, primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia, are estimated to be in Yemen, often detained in precarious conditions.

The targeted facility was reportedly a migrant detention center, raising concerns about the safety of civilians in conflict zones.

U.S. Military Involvement

The U.S. has not officially commented on the Saada strike, but it aligns with its ongoing campaign, “Operation Rough Rider,” launched on March 15, 2025.

This operation involves near-daily airstrikes targeting Houthi positions to curb their attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted over 800 strikes, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and leaders, including missile and drone experts.

The campaign, intensified under President Donald Trump, aims to pressure the Iran-backed Houthis and, indirectly, Iran, amid negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Houthi Response and Claims

The Houthis, who control northwest Yemen, condemned the strike, with their Interior Ministry stating the U.S. bears “full responsibility” for the deaths.

Houthi official Mohammed Abdul Salam called it a “brutal crime” against vulnerable migrants, suggesting the attack reflects U.S. military failures.

The group has vowed to continue its operations, including missile and drone attacks on Red Sea vessels and Israel, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 ships, sinking two and killing four sailors.

Civilian Impact and Criticism

The strike has sparked outrage over civilian casualties, with activists and U.S. senators questioning the effectiveness and ethics of Operation Rough Rider.

Earlier strikes, such as one on Ras Isa port in April 2025, killed dozens of civilians, drawing condemnation from UN chief Antonio Guterres.

Human Rights Watch and other groups have criticized the U.S. for exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, with reports of blocked access to bomb sites complicating casualty verification.

The targeting of a migrant facility has renewed calls for accountability.

Broader Conflict

The Saada strike is part of a broader escalation in Yemen, where the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have controlled key regions since 2014.

Their attacks on Red Sea shipping, launched in response to Israel’s Gaza operations, have disrupted global trade routes.

The U.S., supported by aircraft carriers like the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson, has intensified strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities. However, analysts argue airstrikes alone cannot dislodge the resilient Houthis, who continue to retaliate with missile and drone attacks.

Migrant Plight in Yemen

African migrants in Yemen face extreme risks, caught in the crossfire of war and detained in overcrowded, unsafe facilities.

The Saada incident underscores their vulnerability, with reports of migrants enduring harsh conditions while attempting to reach Gulf countries. The IOM and Red Cross have not yet confirmed their involvement with the struck facility, but the incident highlights the need for better protection for migrants in conflict zones.

The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV claimed 30 migrants were missing, while others labeled the U.S. actions as deliberate targeting of civilians. These sentiments underscore rising anti-U.S. sentiment in Yemen, where civilian deaths fuel backlash against Trump’s air campaign.

Uncertain Future

The Saada strike raises fresh questions about the U.S. strategy in Yemen. While CENTCOM insists its approach is “deliberate,” the high civilian toll and lack of immediate U.S. response to the allegations risk further alienating Yemenis and complicating diplomatic efforts with Iran.

As the Houthis vow to persist, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving migrants and civilians at continued risk.

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