In a deadly turn of events, Huthi rebel-controlled media in Yemen reported that a US airstrike targeted a migrant detention center in the northern stronghold of Saada on Monday, leaving at least 68 people dead and dozens more injured.
The attack is the latest in a series of near-daily US military operations against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels since mid-March, part of the broader effort to eliminate the growing threat to maritime shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, reported AFP.
Human cost of the conflict
The strike, reportedly on a center housing 115 African migrants, has raised alarm, with the Huthis’ Al-Masirah TV showing harrowing footage of bodies trapped under the rubble and rescue workers digging through the debris. According to the Huthi administration’s interior ministry, 47 others were wounded, many in critical condition.
Migrant routes through Yemen are notoriously treacherous, with tens of thousands risking their lives each year in the hope of finding work in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Many of these migrants come from conflict-ridden regions of East Africa, escaping the devastating impacts of war and poverty.
The Huthis’ Al-Masirah TV described the attack as part of a larger ongoing US-led effort targeting the Huthis since they began their strikes on international shipping lanes in late 2023, citing support for Palestinians as the driving force behind their aggressive actions. This has led to significant disruptions in global trade, particularly through the Suez Canal, forcing ships to reroute around the southern tip of Africa.
A growing US military presence in the region
The operation, known as “Rough Rider,” has been relentless, with US military officials reporting over 800 targets hit since its launch. These strikes have claimed the lives of hundreds of Huthi fighters, including leaders, and destroyed several critical Huthi facilities, from command centers to missile storage sites. Despite these strikes, Huthi forces have continued to target both US vessels and Israel, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
The US military command emphasized that the operations have achieved some success in diminishing the Huthis’ capabilities. Attacks from one-way drones have dropped by 55%, and ballistic missile launches have decreased by 69%, though the Huthis remain a significant threat, backed by Iran.
“We will continue to increase pressure on the Huthis until our objectives are met,” a CENTCOM spokesperson said. The goal remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and deterrence of further hostilities against US and allied vessels in the region.
Strikes on Sanaa continue to take a toll
The US military’s strikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, have also caused further casualties, with reports on Sunday indicating at least eight people killed and several others wounded in airstrikes that leveled homes and vehicles. Footage showed scenes of devastation, with bloodstains and scattered belongings among the wreckage.
The US strikes against the Huthis, which first began under the Biden administration, are part of an ongoing campaign that former President Donald Trump had pledged to continue until the Huthis were no longer seen as a threat to regional stability.
Ongoing crisis
The international community continues to watch with growing concern as the conflict in Yemen spirals further, exacerbated by foreign involvement and the civilian toll mounting on both sides. With no clear resolution in sight, the situation remains dire for the people of Yemen, particularly vulnerable migrants trapped in the crossfire of global geopolitical tensions.
