Airstrike on Yemeni prison allegedly housing African immigrants leaves at least 68 dead, according to Houthi militants.
Headline: U.S. Airstrike on Yemeni Prison: Houthi Rebels Claim 68 Dead, 47 Injured Among African Migrants
In a devastating blow, at least 68 African migrants have met their end, while 47 others were left wounded after an American airstrike hit a prison in Yemen's Saada governorate, as per Houthi rebels' claims. The incident reportedly took place at a rebel stronghold and prison in northwest Yemen, which was allegedly detaining approximately 115 migrants at the time of the strike on Monday.
The Houthis shared harrowing footage depicting the aftermath of the attack, displaying bodies lying motionless and medics frantically trying to help the wounded. A woman's voice, emotional in the footage, can be heard reciting a prayer in Arabic. The video also features the occasional sound of gunshots echoing in the background.
Although the U.S. military remains silent on the matter, the Houthis have been in the crosshairs of American military operations due to their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Israel.
In the past month, the U.S. military's Operation Rough Rider has launched more than 800 strikes against Houthi targets, focusing on crucial infrastructure such as command centers, air defenses, and weapons facilities. These strikes have reportedly eliminated hundreds of fighters and leaders, including key figures from the missile and drone program, while significantly reducing the frequency of Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks.
However, the group continues to launch sporadic attacks on U.S. naval assets and commercial ships, provoking controversy surrounding the civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict. This is not the first instance of civilian casualties in the region, as questions regarding the targeting of migrant detention centers have arisen following the U.S. Defense Secretary's connections to group chats containing sensitive attack details.
Additional Insight:The decades-long conflict in Yemen has left a significant humanitarian toll, with African migrants trying to cross the war-torn nation to reach Saudi Arabia for work frequently falling victim to abuse and violence from the Houthi rebels and the Saudi coalition. Despite denials from Saudi Arabia, numerous migrants have lost their lives in the region during the ongoing war.
Citations:
[1] "US military airstrikes in Yemen: What to know," (2025) Al Jazeera, date accessed on 2025-05-01.
[2] "U.S. Military's Operation Rough Rider: Impact and Controversy," (2025) Council on Foreign Relations, date accessed on 2025-05-01.
[3] "Houthi Military Capabilities After U.S. Airstrikes: Assessment," (2025) Chatham House, date accessed on 2025-05-01.
[4] "Deadly U.S. Airstrike on Yemeni Migrant Detention Center: What We Know," (2025) The New York Times, date accessed on 2025-05-01.
- The U.S. military's Operation Rough Rider has provided numerous airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen over the past month, aiming to disrupt their activities.
- Despite the ongoing conflict and numerous civilian casualties, the Houthis continue to launch sporadic attacks on U.S. naval assets and commercial ships.
- In a shocking incident on Wednesday, at least 68 African migrants died in a U.S. airstrike on a Houthi-controlled prison in Yemen, while 47 others were injured.
- Politics and general news around the world have been dominated by the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Yemen, with reports of civilian casualties raising concerns about the conduct of operations and the protection of innocent people.
