Saada (South24 Center)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated today that it had no presence at a detention center in Yemen’s northern Saada Governorate, that Houthis claim was hit by a US airstrike, resulting in dozens of African migrants being killed or wounded.

In a statement issued from Geneva on Monday, April 28, the IOM expressed "deep sorrow" over the reports of casualties, while clarifying that it had not been providing any services at the targeted facility. The organization said that it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to offer support if needed.

The IOM also urged all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and ensure full compliance with international laws, stressing the critical need to shield vulnerable populations amid Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Earlier on Monday, the Houthi group condemned the “US aggression that targeted the illegal immigrant shelter in Saada Governorate with six airstrikes”. The Houthis said the attack killed 68 migrants and left 47 others injured. The Houthis accused the United States of committing a "full-fledged war crime”, and claimed the migrants “were housed in a shelter center operating under the knowledge and supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration”.

Footage aired by the Houthis' Al-Masirah television network showed bodies of the killed and wounded individuals under the rubble at the site. According to the Houthi-run Interior Ministry, approximately 115 migrants—mostly Ethiopians—were detained at the facility at the time of the strike.

A photo published by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV on Monday, April 28, 2025, shows the migrants' center in Saada after it was bombed

While the US Department of Defense has so far declined to comment directly on the incident, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in an article stated that its anti-Houthi operations “have been executed using detailed and comprehensive intelligence ensuring lethal effects against the Houthis while minimizing risk to civilians”. It also said that details of its ongoing and future operations are intentionally being withheld to preserve operational security.

CENTCOM confirmed that US forces have carried out more than 800 airstrikes against the Houthis since mid-March as part of ‘Operation Rough Rider’, that have destroyed multiple command and control centers, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, and strategic weapons storage locations belonging to the Iran-backed group. The statement added that the strikes have killed "hundreds of Houthi fighters and a significant number of their leaders”.

It noted that while the Houthis have continued to attack vessels, the US strikes have “degraded the pace and effectiveness of their attacks”, with the Houthis’ ballistic missile launches dropping by 69%, and drone attacks decreasing by 55%.

Separately, human rights groups have accused the Houthis of recruiting African migrants and deploying them to the frontlines. A military source previously told ‘South24 Center’ that several African migrants had been killed while fighting alongside Houthi forces against Southern troops in Yemen’s Lahj and Al-Dhalea governorates.