On April 28, 2025, a US airstrike targeted a migrant detention center in Saada, Yemen, resulting in significant casualties. Houthi-controlled media reported that the strike killed at least 68 African migrants and injured 47 others.

The facility housed over 100 undocumented migrants, primarily from Africa, who were seeking refuge and employment opportunities in Gulf countries.

The airstrike is part of Operation Rough Rider, a US military campaign aimed at countering Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden3. Since mid-March, the operation has involved over 800 strikes, targeting Houthi command centers, air defense systems, and weapons facilities3. While the US military has acknowledged civilian casualties, it has refrained from providing detailed information about specific targets.

The incident has drawn international concern, with humanitarian organizations emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable populations in conflict zones. The UN migration agency is closely monitoring the situation but does not manage the affected facility.

This tragic event underscores the complexities and human cost of ongoing conflicts in Yemen, where migrants often face perilous conditions while seeking a better future.