In Yemen’s northern Saada province, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that US airstrikes on a migrant detention center have killed at least 68 people. The facility, operated by Houthi authorities, was said to be housing 115 migrants from across Africa.
The strikes are part of Operation Rough Rider, a series of near-daily US military actions launched on March 15. According to US estimates, more than 800 targets have been hit so far, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Houthi fighters, including several commanders.
The Houthis began targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden late last year to show solidarity with the Palestinians following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Their campaign disrupted traffic through the Suez Canal, which handles about 12 percent of global trade, forcing many ships to reroute around southern Africa.
Yesterday, al-Masirah TV also reported that US strikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, killed at least eight people and wounded others. The US military has declined to provide detailed accounts of its operations to preserve operational security, but it says the actions have had lethal effects on Houthi forces.
The tragic loss of life at the migrant center highlights the human cost of this wider regional conflict. Many migrants travel from the Horn of Africa seeking safety or work, only to find themselves caught between warring factions and at risk from military operations.
As global trade routes and regional security remain under pressure, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact of geopolitical clashes on civilians. Observers and advocates are calling for renewed efforts to protect vulnerable populations and ensure safe passage for migrants amid escalating tensions.
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Yemen's Houthis say 68 killed in U.S. strikes on migrant center
cgtn.com
