Houthi rebels said on Monday that a US airstrike killed 68 people and injured 47 others at a detention center in Saada, Yemen. According to reports, the center housed African migrants. Moreover, the International Organization for Migration and the Red Cross reportedly managed the facility.

The Houthis, who control north-west Yemen, strongly condemned the airstrike. They called it a “full-fledged war crime.” However, the US military has not yet issued any comment on the attack, as noted in the report.

US Targets Houthis in Continued Operation

Since March 15, the US has launched almost daily airstrikes against Houthi forces. These strikes are part of Operation Rough Rider. The mission aims to stop threats to commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Earlier, in October 2023, the Houthis started attacking Israeli and Western ships. They said they acted to show support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Most recently, on Saturday, the Houthis fired a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile toward Israel’s Nevatim airbase. However, Israeli defense systems intercepted and destroyed the missile.

Graphic Footage Shows Heavy Casualties

Meanwhile, The Guardian, citing Houthi-owned al-Masirah TV, reported that disturbing videos showed many dead and wounded people after the US strike.

Despite years of war, Yemen remains a major transit route for migrants from Ethiopia and Somalia. Currently, around 300,000 migrants live in Yemen. Additionally, reports accuse the Houthis of earning profits through human smuggling.

Strike Brings Back Memories of 2022 Attack

This recent strike reminded many of a 2022 air attack by the Saudi-led coalition on the same facility. That earlier strike killed 66 people and injured 113 others, according to the United Nations.

After the 2022 incident, the Houthis reportedly killed 16 detainees who tried to escape and wounded 50 others. The Saudi-led forces had claimed the site was used for drone operations. Nevertheless, the UN identified it as a detention center.

US Expands Strikes on Houthi Leadership

Since mid-March, the US has intensified its campaign against the Houthis. Now, American forces are not only targeting weapons but also senior Houthi leaders. Notably, one of the targets includes Abdelmalek al-Houthi, the longtime figurehead of the group.