Reports from Yemen claim a U.S. airstrike has killed at least 68 people at a facility housing African migrants, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict as the military targets Houthi rebel positions.
Top Takeaways
- An alleged American airstrike killed at least 68 people and injured 47 others at a migrant detention center in Yemen’s Saada Governorate
- The facility reportedly housed approximately 100 African migrants when it was struck
- U.S. Central Command has been conducting an “intense and sustained campaign” against Houthi targets since March 15
- The Pentagon has not yet commented on the specific allegations regarding the migrant facility
- This incident occurs amid ongoing U.S. military operations that have struck over 800 Houthi targets in recent months
Reported Strike on Migrant Facility
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have alleged that an American airstrike hit a detention center housing African migrants in the Saada Governorate, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 people and injuring 47 others. According to reports from the Houthi-controlled region, the facility contained over 100 migrants at the time of the strike. The incident represents one of the most significant civilian casualty events reported since the U.S. intensified its campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen.
No immediate comment has been provided by U.S. officials regarding the specific allegations about the migrant detention center. This development comes at a time when U.S. Central Command has been actively conducting operations against Houthi military capabilities following months of attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The strikes are part of a broader effort to restore maritime security in a critical global trade route.
Every night for the past 6 weeks the U.S air force carries out heavy air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
These strikes have killed dozens of senior political and military Houthi figures as well as destroyed missile launching capabilities.
This is footage from tonight. pic.twitter.com/vGym9KzoXH
— James J. Marlow (@James_J_Marlow) April 27, 2025
U.S. Military Campaign in Yemen
The U.S. military’s Central Command has been executing what officials describe as an “intense and sustained campaign” against Houthi forces since March 15. This operation has targeted over 800 Houthi positions and reportedly eliminated numerous fighters and leadership figures. The campaign represents a continuation of military pressure initially escalated as Trump returned to office in response to Houthi attacks on international vessels.
According to Central Command reports, these operations have achieved significant results in reducing Houthi ballistic missile launches and drone attacks that had been threatening commercial shipping. Military officials claim the sustained pressure has damaged the Houthi’s operational capabilities and hindered their ability to generate revenue. Despite these reported successes, the Central Command maintains that Iran continues to provide support to Houthi forces.
Regional Context and Ongoing Conflict
The Houthis began their campaign of attacks on international shipping in October 2023, which they claimed was in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. These attacks prompted a multinational response to protect freedom of navigation through the vital Red Sea shipping lanes. The U.S. has framed its military objectives as restoring freedom of navigation and establishing effective deterrence in the region.
This alleged strike on a migrant facility highlights the complex humanitarian dimensions of the conflict in Yemen, which has already experienced years of a brutal civil war and foreign military interventions. Yemen serves as both a transit point and destination for migrants from the Horn of Africa, many fleeing poverty and conflict in their home countries. These vulnerable populations now find themselves caught in the crossfire of regional power struggles.
