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The Red Cross has raised concerns over a recent US airstrike in Yemen that struck a Houthi-run detention facility, killing dozens—many of them African migrants.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, President Trump recently ordered a significant ramp-up of US airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of Operation Rough Rider, a campaign aimed at neutralizing the group’s ability to threaten international maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have been launching drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels and US naval forces since late 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Their attacks have severely disrupted global shipping routes, forcing vessels to avoid the Suez Canal—a vital artery for global trade—and reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, causing delays and skyrocketing costs. This disruption has significantly impacted Egypt, which relies on canal toll revenues as a major source of foreign currency. In response, the US has intensified its air campaign, striking over 800 Houthi targets since mid-March, with the goal of restoring freedom of navigation and reestablishing deterrence in the region.
What’s going on now: The Red Cross has confirmed that a recent US airstrike in northwest Yemen struck a Houthi-controlled detention facility, resulting in a high number of casualties, many of whom were African migrants. Houthi officials have accused the US of deliberately targeting a migrant detention center, calling the attack a war crime and a massacre. According to Houthi media, the facility housed 115 African migrants, and at least 35 bodies have been pulled from the rubble, with many more believed to be trapped or unaccounted for.
Videos aired by the Houthi-owned Al-Masirah channel showed widespread devastation, dismembered bodies, and emergency responders digging through debris in scenes described as among the most harrowing since the conflict began.
The US military has not publicly confirmed the specific target of the strike but acknowledged that civilian casualties may have occurred and that an assessment is underway. CENTCOM reiterated that its operations are based on “comprehensive intelligence” and utilize precision-guided munitions designed to minimize harm to civilians.
Despite this, an independent analysis headed by the Washington Post found no visible signs of military activity at the targeted buildings, and some US officials have warned that the pace of strikes—averaging over 20 per day—may be undermining safeguards intended to prevent civilian harm.
In a statement, Christine Cipolla, a senior Red Cross official in Yemen, said, “It is unthinkable that while people are detained and have nowhere to escape, they can also be caught in the line of fire. This attack underscores how civilians in Yemen are increasingly exposed to death, grievous injury, and deepening psychological trauma.”
