U.S. Airstrikes Hit Migrant Center in Yemen, Killing 68 Africans

On Monday, Houthi media said that US airstrikes struck a migrant detention center in Saada, the Houthis' northern Yemen stronghold, killing at least 68 African migrants and injuring 47.

Al-Masirah TV, the group's television station, aired video of rescuers searching through the rubble, saying there were 115 migrants in the center at the time of the strike.

The U.S. military has yet to comment on the allegations, and these claims are not independently verification by AFP. T

he UN migration agency (IOM) confirmed the facility was not being run by it at the time of the strike but said vulnerable civilians should be protected.

Since March 15, the US has executed over 800 airstrikes in Yemen under Operation Rough Rider against Houthi command and control centers, weapons depots, and Houthi leadership. CENTCOM declared "hundreds" of Houthi fighters killed and a 55%–69% reduction in missile and drone attacks. The campaign is designed to diminish Houthi threats to shipping lanes in the Red Sea, which account for 12% of world trade.

Despite this, the Houthi movement continues to launch intermittent strikes on vessels in solidarity with the Palestinians.

The strike allegations point to a clear problem for migrants when traversing Yemen's Eastern Route from Africa. Each year, tens of thousands risk their lives in conflict zones and across dangerous seas to work in Gulf countries. The IOM emphasized the need to protect non-combatants during a period of sustained violence.