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Sanaa, Yemen — On Monday, Houthi-controlled media reported that U.S. airstrikes targeted a detention facility for migrants in Saada, resulting in at least 35 fatalities. Since March 15, the U.S. military has significantly escalated operations against the Iran-aligned Houthis, conducting almost daily strikes in an effort termed “Operation Rough Rider.” This initiative aims to mitigate the threats the Houthis pose to maritime activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
For over a year, the Houthis have conducted strikes against vessels in the Red Sea, including U.S. warships, framing these actions as support for the Palestinians following Hamas’s unprecedented assault on Israel in October 2023, which instigated renewed conflict in Gaza.
The U.S. military reported that since mid-March, it has attacked more than 800 targets in Yemen, resulting in significant casualties among Houthi forces, including key leadership figures.
According to the Houthi-operated Al-Masirah TV, dozens of bodies were reportedly retrieved from the rubble of the migrant detention center following the strikes.
Rescue teams have been actively engaged at the site, as reported by the Houthi media outlet, which labeled the incident as an “American crime.”
Independent verification of the claims made by Al-Masirah regarding the migrant facility and casualty figures has not been achieved, with AFP reaching out to the U.S. military for further information.
A Houthi official cited by Al-Masirah mentioned that the center housed 115 African migrants.
Visual evidence presented by the broadcaster depicted the aftermath of the bombing, including bodies trapped beneath debris and emergency responders working to extract survivors.
The Houthis, similar to Hamas and Hezbollah, receive support from Iran, a fundamental adversary of Israel.
Since late 2023, the group has targeted international shipping, disrupting passage through the Suez Canal — a crucial route for global commerce — and forcing many vessels to undertake costlier journeys around Africa’s southern tip.
In a comprehensive statement, CENTCOM, the U.S. military command overseeing operations in the Middle East, detailed that over 800 targets have been struck since the initiation of Operation Rough Rider. This campaign has resulted in the deaths of numerous Houthi fighters and key leaders.
“These strikes have effectively dismantled multiple command-and-control centers, air defense systems, advanced weapon manufacturing facilities, and storage sites,” CENTCOM officials indicated.
Despite these operations, the Houthis, who maintain control over significant territories in Yemen and have been engaged in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, continue to assert their capacity to launch attacks against both U.S. vessels and Israel.
According to CENTCOM, the frequency of Houthi missile launches has decreased by 69%, while assaults involving one-way attack drones have dropped by 55% due to ongoing U.S. military efforts.
Officials noted that Iran’s involvement remains critical, asserting that the capability of the Houthis to conduct attacks is heavily reliant on support from Tehran. CENTCOM vowed to maintain pressure until the objective of safeguarding maritime operations and re-establishing American deterrence in the region is realized.
On Sunday, Al-Masirah reported that strikes in the Yemeni capital Sanaa had resulted in at least eight fatalities, alongside numerous injuries, with video footage depicting the destruction of homes and vehicles, as well as blood-soaked streets. Additionally, earlier reports of prior strikes in Sanaa detailed two fatalities and several injuries.
U.S. military operations against the Houthis began under the Biden administration in coordination with British forces, and prior commitments to continue military engagement against the rebels have been reiterated by former President Trump until the threat to maritime shipping is effectively eliminated.
Crisis in the Middle East
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