Alarm at UN over U.S. air raids in Yemen reporting 68 migrant deaths attributed by Huthis.
The US military, under the label "Operation Rough Rider," has been bombarding Iran-backed Huthi rebels since mid-March in a bid to put a stop to their attacks on vessels sailing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
On the night of April 28, strikes on the Huthis' stronghold of Saada allegedly killed no less than 68 African migrants, according to Huthi-controlled media. Reports claim these unfortunate souls were being held captive at a center that caters to illegal migrants.
A US defense official has stated that the military is currently investigating these allegations. The United Nations, expressing deep concern, urged all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians. Troublingly, the UN declined to specifically mention the United States.
Preliminary data indicates that at least 68 migrants were killed and an additional 48 were injured during the overnight strikes. Regrettably, it appears these migrants were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
However, these reports have yet to be independently confirmed. The US defense official admitted that they take these civilian casualty allegations seriously and are conducting a battle-damage assessment to verify the claims.
By Sunday, the US had reportedly hit over 800 targets in Yemen since mid-March, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including Huthi leaders[1]. However, the Houthis persist in their attacks against US vessels and have not shied away from endangering civilian lives.
In fact, only hours after the US announced these recent strikes, the Houthis claimed that their latest barrage had hit a migrant detention center. Footage shown by the Huthis' Al-Masirah TV depicts bodies trapped under the rubble and rescuers frantically attempting to help the casualties.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) implored all parties to take measures to minimize civilian casualties. "It is unfathomable that detained migrants, with no means of escape, can become targets in this conflict," stated the head of the ICRC's Yemen delegation, Christine Cipolla.
The UN Migration Agency (IOM) noted that the facility in question was not managed by their personnel. Each year, tens of thousands of migrants risk their lives to sail the Red Sea, fleeing conflict, disasters, and economic hardship, hoping to find work in the oil-rich Gulf.
The US military's campaign against the Houthis escalated in response to their attacks on Israeli and Western vessels in the Red Sea, which the rebels consider acts of solidarity with the Palestinians[1]. These repeated attacks have prompted shipping companies to divert around the tip of southern Africa instead of passing through the Suez Canal, a crucial trading route.
In its most detailed account to date, the US Middle East military command announced that they had hit over 800 targets in Yemen, resulting in "hundreds of Houthi deaths" and significant tactical advances[2].
The Houthis have vowed to continue their operations, even in the face of increased US pressure. Amidst this escalating conflict, questions remain about the veracity of civilian site targeting, the Houthi's use of alleged detention centers, and international calls for de-escalation to alleviate worsening humanitarian conditions in Yemen.
[1] "US military intensifies strikes against Houthis in Yemen," Al Jazeera, April 29, 2025.[2] "US strikes in Yemen kill 68 migrants, Houthi-controlled media claims," AP News, April 29, 2025.[3] "US military strikes in Yemen: A breakdown," BBC News, April 30, 2025.
- Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, has urged Israel, the United States, and all parties involved in the conflict in Yemen to prioritize the protection of civilians, following allegations of 68 African migrant deaths in a military operation.
- The United States, under Operation Rough Rider, has been bombarding the Huthi rebels in Yemen since mid-March, but the international community is now urging a step back from war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice perspectives, due to the increasing civilian casualties.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern over the use of alleged detention centers as casualty sites in Yemen, emphasizing the need for measures to minimize civilian casualties in the region.
- The Huthi rebels, backed by Iran, have persisted in their attacks on Israeli and Western vessels in the Red Sea, which have led to increased US military involvement in Yemen and the resulting international general news headlines.
- The UN Migration Agency (IOM) noted that the migrant detention center allegedly struck by US military operations was not managed by their personnel, shedding light on the complex web of politics and crime-and-justice issues in the region.
- Amidst the escalating war-and-conflicts in Yemen, the international community is urging de-escalation to alleviate the worsening humanitarian conditions, with questions remaining about the veracity of civilian site targeting, the Houthi's use of alleged detention centers, and the impact on Africa and other regions involved in the conflict.
