Migrant Detention Centre Hit Amid Ongoing Military Operations
On Monday, April 28, 2025, Houthi media outlets reported that US military strikes had hit a migrant detention centre in Saada, Yemen, killing at least 68 African migrants and injuring 47 others. According to the Houthis’ Al-Masirah TV, the centre housed 115 migrants, all from Africa. Footage from the site showed bodies trapped under rubble as rescuers searched for survivors.
The United States military has been conducting near-daily strikes on Houthi targets since March 15 under an operation named “Rough Rider”. The operation seeks to neutralize the Houthis’ threat to shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Despite the intensified campaign, Houthi forces continue to launch attacks on US and Israeli vessels, claiming solidarity with Palestinians following the events of October 2023.
AFP has not independently verified the claims made by Al-Masirah regarding the migrant centre. The US military has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. The UN migration agency (IOM) confirmed it was monitoring the situation but clarified that the affected facility was not operated by its personnel, emphasizing the need to protect civilians.
US Operation “Rough Rider” Targets Over 800 Houthi Sites
The US Central Command (Centcom) detailed the scale of Operation Rough Rider, stating that over 800 Houthi targets have been struck since mid-March. These strikes have reportedly killed hundreds of Houthi fighters, destroyed command-and-control facilities, air defence systems, and advanced weapons sites.
Centcom acknowledged that while the Houthis continue to attack shipping, the frequency and effectiveness of these attacks have significantly declined. Ballistic missile launches have dropped by 69%, and drone attacks have decreased by 55%. The US military also emphasized Iran’s role in supporting the Houthis, vowing to maintain pressure until freedom of navigation is restored in the region.
President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, affirmed that the United States would continue military operations until Houthi forces no longer pose a threat to international shipping.
Additional Strikes in Sanaa Cause Civilian Casualties
Separately, Houthi media reported that US strikes on Sanaa, the rebel-held capital of Yemen, killed at least eight people on Sunday. Scenes of devastation showed destroyed homes, damaged vehicles, and rescuers retrieving human remains. Earlier strikes that day reportedly resulted in two more deaths and several injuries.
The humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict remains severe, especially for vulnerable migrant populations seeking to transit through Yemen toward the Gulf States. Each year, thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa risk perilous journeys across the Red Sea, hoping for better opportunities despite the ongoing conflict.
