In a tragic development in Yemen’s long-running conflict, Houthi authorities on Monday accused the United States of launching an airstrike on a migrant detention facility in Saada governorate, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 people and injuring 47 others. The U.S. military has not issued any immediate comment regarding the allegations.
The airstrike reportedly targeted a site used to detain African migrants, predominantly from Ethiopia and other nations, who risk their lives crossing war-torn Yemen in hopes of finding work in neighboring Saudi Arabia. The strike marks yet another grim chapter in Yemen’s decade-long war, where African migrants have often found themselves caught in the crossfire.
Graphic footage broadcast by the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel showed scenes of devastation at the attack site. The video revealed lifeless bodies scattered amidst rubble and wounded survivors struggling to receive medical attention. According to Yemen’s Houthi-run Interior Ministry, around 115 migrants had been held at the facility at the time of the strike.
The Civil Defense agency operating under Houthi control confirmed the casualty figures, stating that 68 people were killed and 47 others sustained injuries during the explosion.
Images and video analyzed by the Associated Press (AP) appeared to corroborate evidence of an intense blast. The detention center’s cement walls were riddled with debris fragments, and survivors bore shrapnel wounds consistent with an explosive detonation.
In the graphic footage, a woman’s voice could be heard softly reciting the beginning of a traditional Muslim prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” Amid the chaos, sporadic gunshots rang out as medics and rescue workers scrambled to aid the injured.
African Migrants Trapped in Yemen’s Conflict
For years, African migrants—mainly Ethiopians—have braved perilous conditions to cross into Yemen, risking the volatile environment to reach Saudi Arabia in search of better economic opportunities. However, many migrants find themselves at the mercy of human traffickers and armed groups. Reports indicate that Houthi forces profit significantly from smuggling migrants across the Yemeni-Saudi border, allegedly earning tens of thousands of dollars weekly.
The journey through Yemen is fraught with danger. Migrants have been subject to imprisonment, abuse, and even extrajudicial killings both in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia.
In a letter dated October 3, 2022, United Nations investigators expressed grave concerns to Saudi authorities regarding the treatment of African migrants at the border. The U.N. letter cited allegations of “cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces,” which purportedly led to the deaths of up to 430 migrants and injuries to another 650.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied accusations of killing migrants at its border. In previous statements, the kingdom emphasized its commitment to upholding human rights and vowed to investigate any credible reports of abuse.
International Reactions Awaited
While the Houthis have placed direct blame on the United States for Monday’s airstrike, Washington has yet to respond. Historically, the U.S. has conducted counterterrorism operations in Yemen targeting al-Qaeda affiliates, but direct strikes on Houthi-controlled areas have been rare, especially those involving civilian casualties.
The Houthis have increasingly accused the U.S. of supporting the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them, although the Biden administration removed the group from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2021 in a bid to facilitate peace talks.
Human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the incident. “Targeting civilian sites, especially those housing vulnerable populations such as migrants, constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law,” said an official from Human Rights Watch. “Immediate, transparent investigations must be conducted to ensure accountability.”
The United Nations has also expressed concern over the safety of migrants in Yemen. A spokesperson for the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted, “Migrants in Yemen remain among the most vulnerable populations, facing extreme violence, detention, and exploitation. Their protection must be prioritized.”
A Broader Humanitarian Crisis
Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Since 2014, when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, the country has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the Houthi movement and the internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
The war has displaced millions, devastated infrastructure, and pushed the nation to the brink of famine. Amid this backdrop, migrants continue to arrive, often unaware of the scale of the conflict or misled by smugglers promising safe passage.
Rights groups have long criticized the treatment of migrants in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Accounts of torture, extortion, and indefinite detention are widespread. Last year, reports emerged that dozens of migrants were burned alive at a detention center in Sanaa, allegedly following clashes between guards and detainees.
The latest attack, if confirmed, would add to the growing list of atrocities committed against migrants in the region, raising urgent questions about the international community’s role and responsibility in protecting vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Calls for Action
Humanitarian agencies have urged all parties to respect international law and ensure the safety of civilians, including migrants. “There must be no impunity for attacks on civilians,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. “Migrant lives are not expendable bargaining chips in this conflict.”
As of now, families of those detained at the Saada site are seeking information about their loved ones. Survivors are being treated for injuries, though with Yemen’s shattered healthcare system, their prospects remain uncertain.
Global attention is expected to intensify as more details emerge about the strike. Calls for an independent inquiry are growing louder, with advocates warning that continued disregard for the lives of migrants will only worsen Yemen’s already dire humanitarian situation.
