U.S. airstrike on prison allegedly held African migrants leads to reported deaths by Yemen's Houthis.
In a shocking turn of events, Yemen's Houthi rebels accused American forces of striking a prison housing African migrants on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 people and injuries to 47 others. As usual, the US military kept mum about the alleged attack.
This strike took place in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, adding another layer to the decade-long conflict that has suffered African migrants from nations like Ethiopia. These desperate individuals risk their lives crossing through Yemen in hopes of finding work in neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis allegedly rake in tens of thousands of dollars per week from smuggling these migrants across the border.
The accused attack will likely fuel questions about the American campaign, referred to as "Operation Rough Rider," that's been targeting the rebels. As negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran, the rebels' main benefactor, progress over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, this American airstrike campaign remains a topic of contention within America.
In an early Monday statement, USCENTCOM attempted to defend its policy of withholding specific details about the extensive airstrike campaign. This secrecy has sparked outrage over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the unclassified Signal messaging app to share sensitive details about the attacks.
On Monday, USCENTCOM acknowledged it was "aware of the claims of civilian casualties related to the U.S. strikes in Yemen" and vowed to take these claims seriously. However, they are currently conducting a battle-damage assessment and inquiry into the alleged incident.
Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed dead bodies, wounded individuals, and signs of an explosion at the site. Approximately 115 migrants had reportedly been detained there.
For years, Ethiopians and other African migrants have braved the war-torn nation of Yemen, hoping to reach Saudi Arabia for work. Unfortunately, many have found themselves detained, abused, or even killed during the conflict.
The alleged strike on Monday reminded many of a similar one in 2022 on the same compound, which resulted in the death of 66 detainees and injuries to 113 others. According to a United Nations report, the Houthis killed 16 detainees who attempted to flee after the strike and wounded another 50. The Saudi-led coalition argued justifying the strike by alleging Houthi activity within the compound, but the UN revealed it was a known detention facility.
As of late April 2025, Operation Rough Rider remains active, with USCENTCOM confirming strikes on over 800 Houthi targets since March 15. The objective is to degrade Houthi capabilities to attack shipping lanes and restore regional deterrence. Despite hundreds of fighters killed and leadership losses, the Iran-backed group retains operational capacity in Yemen.
- The alleged airstrike on a prison housing African migrants in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, appears to be another layer in the decade-long conflict that has been afflicting African migrants from nations like Ethiopia.
- The migrants risk their lives crossing through Yemen in hopes of finding work in neighboring Saudi Arabia, with the Houthis reportedly earning tens of thousands of dollars per week from smuggling them across the border.
- This alleged attack will likely spark questions about the American campaign, referred to as "Operation Rough Rider," that's been targeting the Houthis, especially as negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran, the rebels' main benefactor, progress over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.
- The United States' decision to withhold specific details about the extensive airstrike campaign has sparked outrage, particularly over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the unclassified Signal messaging app to share sensitive details about the attacks.
