At least 68 African migrants were killed in an airstrike on a detention center in Houthi-controlled northwestern Yemen, according to reports from the group’s TV channel, Al Masirah. The strike, which occurred in Saada province early on Monday morning, also left 47 others critically injured, with many requiring immediate medical attention.
The airstrike took place around 5:00 AM local time, targeting the detention facility, which was housing approximately 115 migrants. Al Masirah broadcast graphic footage showing the aftermath of the attack, with bodies covered by rubble and debris. Rescuers were seen recovering the bodies of the victims from the destroyed building, and injured survivors were rushed to local hospitals.
The US military has not yet commented on the strike, but it comes amid an intensification of US air operations in Yemen. Since mid-March, under an order from President Donald Trump, the US military has reportedly hit more than 800 targets linked to the Houthi group, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Houthi fighters. The US strikes have largely focused on military and missile infrastructure but have also led to civilian casualties, according to Houthi-run authorities.
The Houthi-run interior ministry condemned the attack, labeling it a “war crime” and accusing the US of deliberately targeting the facility. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of life, calling on all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize civilian protection and adhere to international law.
The detention center in Saada was not operated by the IOM, but the organization said it was closely monitoring the situation and stood ready to offer support. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also provided lifesaving assistance, evacuating the injured to hospitals and managing the recovery of the dead. The facility had been previously visited by the ICRC to ensure humane detention conditions, but rights groups have long criticized the harsh treatment of detainees in Yemen’s detention centers.
The attack has drawn attention to the plight of migrants in Yemen, many of whom arrive from the Horn of Africa, seeking to reach Saudi Arabia for work. Instead, they often face exploitation, detention, and violence. The IOM reports that nearly 60,900 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2024 alone, primarily from Ethiopia and Somalia.
This airstrike adds to the long list of civilian casualties in Yemen’s ongoing conflict, which has been ravaging the country since 2015. The civil war, which began when the Houthi rebels seized control of the northwestern part of Yemen, has led to over 150,000 deaths and left millions in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite the devastation, the conflict remains unresolved, with foreign powers like the US and Saudi Arabia supporting opposing factions.
In addition to the migrant detention center bombing, US airstrikes have also targeted Houthi-controlled infrastructure, including the Ras Isa oil terminal. The Houthis, in turn, have escalated attacks on maritime vessels, citing their support for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. The US has vowed to continue its air operations until its objectives, including ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian influence, are achieved.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community continues to call for increased efforts to protect civilians and resolve the ongoing conflict.
