In a recent escalation of Yemen’s ongoing conflict, the Houthi rebels have accused the United States of carrying out an airstrike on a detention facility within Yemen’s Saada governorate, a Houthi stronghold. This attack reportedly resulted in at least 68 fatalities and 47 injuries, primarily impacting African migrants. The U.S. military has stated that it is investigating these claims.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by African migrants, predominantly from Ethiopia and other nations, who traverse Yemen in pursuit of work in neighboring Saudi Arabia. This tragic event raises fresh concerns regarding the American military initiative titled “Operation Rough Rider,” which targets Houthi forces, as the United States simultaneously engages in delicate negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In a defense of its operational protocols, the U.S. military’s Central Command refrained from providing detailed accounts of its airstrike campaign. “Operational security is vital,” a statement read, “so we limit the disclosure of details on our past or future operations to safeguard the security of ongoing missions.” As the investigation into reports of civilian casualties commences, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to assessing battle damage and investigating these claims.
Footage aired via the Houthis’ al-Masirah television network showed graphic evidence of the aftermath, including dead and injured individuals at the scene. Reports indicate that 115 migrants were held in the detention center at the time of the attack. The Houthi Civil Defense organization confirmed 68 dead and 47 wounded as explosions rocked the facility.
A response from the International Organization for Migration, a United Nations agency, expressed profound sympathy, emphasizing that every effort must be made to avoid harm to civilian populations in conflict zones.
For years, Ethiopian and other African migrants have ventured through Yemen’s war-torn landscape, seeking better opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The profits from smuggling such migrants reportedly generate significant sums for the Houthi rebels.
Regrettably, migrants often find themselves trapped in the crossfire of Yemen’s complex war, experiencing detention, abuse, and even death in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen. An October 2022 UN communication to Saudi Arabian authorities alleged fatalities and injuries caused by Saudi border security forces. These allegations have been denied by the kingdom.
This recent attack echoed a previous strike on the same facility in January 2022, during which a Saudi-led coalition attack led to substantial casualties. A UN report at the time identified the location as a known detention facility and condemned the coalition for the loss of life.
As part of its broader campaign, the U.S. military claims to have executed in excess of 800 strikes, resulting in the deaths of Houthi combatants and leadership figures linked to missile and drone operations. The U.S. justifies its involvement by citing Houthi attacks on critical maritime trade routes and the group’s capability for assaults on Israel.
This multifaceted campaign against the Houthis involves U.S. military assets, including two aircraft carriers stationed in strategic maritime regions. Notably, an April 18 strike on the Ras Isa fuel facility was the deadliest in the campaign, aimed at disabling the Houthis’ capacity for lucrative smuggling operations.
In an effort to maintain information control, the Houthi leadership has moved to restrict communications technology within its territories, recently demanding the confiscation of all Starlink satellite internet devices. These receivers have been pivotal in providing access to global communications networks in conflict regions like Ukraine and in territories undergoing unrest, such as Iran.