Hell In Saada: U.S. Airstrike On Migrant Prison Kills 68, Sparks Outrage And Questions

SAADA, YEMEN — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have accused the United States of carrying out a deadly airstrike on a detention center housing African migrants, killing at least 68 people and injuring 47 others in the northern Saada governorate — a Houthi stronghold. The U.S. military has yet to confirm or comment on the incident.

The alleged strike, which targeted a facility holding Ethiopian and other African migrants, marks one of the deadliest episodes in Yemen’s decade-long war. These migrants often brave the war-torn nation in hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia for work. The strike has renewed outrage from human rights groups and critics of the U.S. campaign, dubbed “Operation Rough Rider.”

The U.S. Central Command, in a statement released hours before news of the alleged airstrike broke, reiterated its policy of withholding specific details of its operations for security reasons.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” the statement read. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

Later Monday, Central Command acknowledged it was “aware of the claims of civilian casualties related to U.S. strikes in Yemen,” and added, “We take those claims very seriously. We are currently conducting our battle-damage assessment and inquiry into those claims.”

Graphic Footage Emerges

Footage broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah satellite news channel showed the gruesome aftermath: lifeless bodies, wounded survivors, and a woman softly praying, “In the name of God,” as sporadic gunshots rang out. The Houthi Interior Ministry said 115 migrants were being held at the site at the time of the attack.

The rebels’ Civil Defense agency confirmed at least 68 deaths and 47 injuries. Associated Press analysis of video from the site indicated an explosion had ripped through the compound, evidenced by shrapnel damage and blast wounds.

African Migrants Caught in the Crossfire

Yemen has long served as a transit route for African migrants, particularly Ethiopians, seeking work in the oil-rich Gulf states. Many fall prey to human trafficking, detention, or violence — often at the hands of both Saudi and Yemeni forces.

A 2022 U.N. report accused Saudi border guards of killing up to 430 migrants with artillery and small arms fire. Saudi Arabia denied the allegations.

This latest incident is eerily similar to a 2022 airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on the same facility, which killed 66 detainees and wounded over 110. After that attack, the Houthis reportedly executed 16 detainees who tried to flee. The coalition had claimed the site was used to store and launch drones, but the U.N. asserted it was a known detention center and should never have been targeted.

Over 800 U.S. Strikes in Yemen So Far

The U.S. has intensified its military campaign in Yemen in recent months. According to Central Command, “Operation Rough Rider” has carried out more than 800 strikes, killing “hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous leaders,” particularly those involved in drone and missile operations.

“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the U.S. military stated. “They can only continue their attacks with Iranian backing.”

American forces are striking from two aircraft carriers — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea — as part of efforts to deter Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel.

On April 18, the U.S. struck the Ras Isa fuel port, reportedly killing 74 and injuring 171 in the deadliest attack of the campaign. The U.S. later said the port was a key revenue stream for the Houthis and that disabling it would hinder their military operations.

Houthis Clamp Down on Internet Access

In a bid to control information, the Houthis have ordered citizens to surrender any Starlink satellite internet terminals — a move reminiscent of Iran’s crackdown on dissent. The group warned of arrests for anyone caught using, selling, or possessing the devices, which have played a vital role in other global conflicts, including Ukraine’s defense against Russia.