Houthi Rebels Report 68 Dead After US Airstrike Hits Yemen Prison Housing African Migrants
In a tragic development from the ongoing Yemen conflict, Houthi rebels have reported that a United States airstrike struck a prison facility in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 individuals, many of whom were African migrants. The incident has triggered international condemnation and raised fresh concerns over the protection of civilians amidst escalating military operations.
According to Houthi officials, the prison, located in a Houthi-controlled region, was being used to detain African migrants who had crossed into Yemen, often as part of their journey toward Gulf countries. Witnesses and local medical personnel confirmed a devastating scene, with numerous casualties and significant destruction of the facility.
While the U.S. military has not yet officially responded to the specific allegations, American forces have been conducting strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, particularly amid rising tensions related to Red Sea shipping lanes and Houthi attacks on international vessels. However, civilian deaths, particularly involving vulnerable migrant populations, could heighten scrutiny of the U.S. strategy in the region.
International humanitarian organizations have called for an independent investigation into the airstrike, urging all parties to respect international law and protect non-combatants. “The targeting of detention centers, especially those housing civilians and migrants, constitutes a grave violation of human rights,” a spokesperson for a major aid group stated.
Yemen has long been a transit point for African migrants, many fleeing conflict or poverty in search of better opportunities in the Gulf. The already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen—exacerbated by years of civil war between Houthi forces and the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition—now faces new challenges with the tragic loss of life.
This latest incident underscores the urgent need for a renewed diplomatic push to de-escalate tensions in the region and protect vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.
Source : Swifteradio.com
