At least 68 African migrants lost their lives in northern Yemen after a United States airstrike struck a detention center on Sunday night.
The victims were mainly Ethiopians who had been held while trying to make their way to Saudi Arabia in search of better lives. Many others were injured and rushed to nearby medical facilities. The attack happened in the city of Sa’ada, an area long affected by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.
The strike occurred late in the evening when the migrants were being held in a facility that housed over 100 people. Emergency workers from humanitarian groups, including the Red Cross and local aid responders, arrived quickly to treat the wounded and recover the bodies. Footage from the scene showed heavy damage to the building, burnt clothing scattered across the rubble, and injured survivors crying out in pain. The incident has raised alarm about the safety of those trapped in war zones.
The migrants had been on a long and dangerous path that thousands of others have taken in recent years. Many leave Ethiopia and other countries in East Africa hoping to reach the Gulf states for work. Their journey takes them through the Red Sea and across Yemen, which is torn apart by war and political instability. For many, detention and abuse are part of the path. Despite the risks, the flow of migrants has continued every year, driven by poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunity at home.
The reason behind the airstrike was part of the United States’ military campaign in Yemen, aimed at pushing back Houthi rebel forces. This campaign, recently expanded under President Donald Trump, has focused on striking targets believed to be linked to the Houthis. However, the facility hit during this attack was holding unarmed migrants, far from the battlefield. The U.S. operation, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” has faced increasing criticism over the impact on civilians.
The people inside the detention center had no way to flee when the strike happened. Many of them were already suffering from poor conditions, malnutrition, and trauma. Aid workers who arrived after the attack said they saw scenes of devastation and deep fear. Survivors spoke of being trapped under debris, while others described how their friends died beside them with no chance to escape. These stories reveal how exposed and helpless migrants can be in conflict zones.
Those killed had left everything behind for a chance at a better life, but their journey ended in tragedy. Human rights groups have warned for years about the treatment of migrants in Yemen. Many are kidnapped, abused, or sold into forced labor. Some women disappear without a trace. Even those who make it to Saudi Arabia often face exploitation, wage theft, or more violence. The risks are everywhere, yet the movement continues.
The U.S. government has defended its strategy, pointing to the Houthis’ role in regional instability and past attacks. Officials have not confirmed whether they knew the building held migrants before it was targeted. Calls are growing for more protection for migrants and for a review of how airstrikes are planned. Humanitarian groups want an end to holding migrants in crowded and unsafe detention centers.
This incident is not the first of its kind, but it adds to a growing list of tragedies faced by people caught between conflict and survival. While leaders focus on military goals, the lives of those with no part in the fighting continue to be lost. The strike in Sa’ada is a grim reminder of the cost of war for the world’s most vulnerable.