At least 68 African migrants have been killed in a US air strike on a detention centre in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen, the Houthi’s TV channel Al Masirah reported. Another 47 migrants were injured, mostly critically.
The US Defence Command acknowledged the claims of civilian casualties and said it was conducting an investigation into the incident. The attack occurred hours after the Central Command announced its forces had hit over 800 targets since President Donald Trump ordered a intensification of air campaign against the Houthis on March 15th.
Houthi-run authorities have reported few casualties among their members, but critics say the strikes are targeting civilians in an effort to weaken the opposition. The migrant detention centre was holding 115 Africans when it was hit four times shortly before midnight local time on Monday.
Local officials described the strike as a “war crime” and said it killed dozens of civilians, including men who were sleeping at the time of the attack. Humanitarian groups condemned the attack, saying it highlighted the dire conditions faced by migrants in Yemen.
The incident is part of 11 years of conflict in Yemen that has left over 150,000 people dead and triggered a humanitarian disaster. The US has been involved in the conflict since President Trump ordered large-scale strikes on areas controlled by the Houthis last month.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qw274w72vo